Nd3+-activated CaF2 ceramic lasers

Nd,Y:CaF2 and Nd,La:CaF2 ceramics featuring good optical quality have been fabricated by reactive sintering and a hot isostatic pressing method. The transmission spectra, emission spectra, and fluorescence decay curves were measured. Lasing at 1064 and 1065 nm was observed in Nd,Y:CaF2 and Nd,La:CaF2, respectively, upon quasi-continuous-wave pumping by a diode laser emitting at 791 nm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first demonstration of Nd3+-activated CaF2 ceramic laser.