LAUSR

Abstract The Er3+-doped Lu2O3 ceramics were successfully prepared by high temperature vacuum sintering of nanopowders using lantana as a sintering additive. The absorption coefficient and absorption cross-section of Er3+ ions in Lu2O3 ceramics at 980 nm were 3.3 cm−1 and 1.65·10−21 cm2, respectively. The emission cross-section at 1534 nm was calculated to be 9.1·10−21 cm2. The fluorescence decay lifetime of 4I13/2 energy level was 7.2 ± 0.2 ms. The positive gain cross-section at 1534 nm can be achieved if the inversion ratio P is 0.5 or higher. All results show that Er:Lu2O3 ceramics can be used as potential active medium for mid-infrared lasers operated at 1.5 μm.