Broadening emission band of Yb:LuScO3 transparent ceramics for ultrashort pulse laser

Abstract Sesquioxides were considered as promising gain medium for high power ultrafast laser. Broadening of emission spectrum plays a crucial role in shortening the pulse width of laser. In this paper, the ratio of lutetium oxide and scandium oxide was adjusted to control the emission wavelength and spectral width. Highly sinterable Yb:(Lu x Sc 1–x ) 2 O 3 nanopowders were synthesized through the glycine‐nitrate combustion process. Transparent Yb:(Lu x Sc 1–x ) 2 O 3 ceramics were fabricated via vacuum sintering at 1750℃ for 10 h, among which Yb:(Lu 0.5 Sc 0.5 ) 2 O 3 ceramics have the highest transmittance, reaching 78% at 1100 nm. With increasing Lu 2 O 3 content, the emission wavelengths corresponding to the two transitions of Yb:(Lu x Sc 1–x ) 2 O 3 were blueshifted 8 and 15 nm, respectively. Most importantly, from Yb:Sc 2 O 3 to Yb:(Lu 0.5 Sc 0.5 ) 2 O 3 , spectral broadening of the two emission wavelengths was observed by 9 and 16 nm, respectively. Thus, the Yb:(Lu x Sc 1‐x ) 2 O 3 ceramics exhibiting high transmittance and broad emission band are promising for ultrashort pulse generation.