Rare-earth-doped sesquioxides

Abstract The sesquioxides Sc 2 O 3 , Y 2 O 3 , and Lu 2 O 3 are suitable hosts for rare earth ions. Due to their high thermal conductivity they are useful for high power solid-state lasers and may be an alternative for the well-known YAG crystals. We have grown for the first time crystals in crucibles without solvents, which is a precondition for commercialization of these materials. Many lasers have been realized and show interesting properties.