Spectroscopy and Mid-Infrared Laser Operation of “Mixed” Sesquioxide Ceramics Er:(Y,Sc)2O3

Transparent ceramics based on “mixed” sesquioxides, Er:(Y,Sc) 2 O 3 , are fabricated by vacuum sintering at 1750 °C from laser-ablated nanoparticles. They exhibit inhomogeneously broadened spectral bands. A continuous-wave Er:(Y,Sc) 2 O 3 ceramic laser generates 312 mW at 2716 nm.