Spectroscopic properties of erbium-doped yttria-stabilised zirconia crystals

Yttria-stabilised zirconia crystals ZrO2 - Y2O3 (6 mol %) - Er2O3 (5.85 mol %) are grown by directional crystallisation in a cold container using direct RF melting. The spectral and lumines- cent properties of these crystals are studied in order to use them as active media of solid state lasers emitting in the wavelength range 1.5 - 1.7 mm.