Tm^3+-doped LuYO_3 mixed sesquioxide ceramic laser: effective 205 μm source operating in continuous-wave and passive Q-switching regimes

Tm:LuYO3 ceramic is reported as an effective laser gain medium, for the first time to the best of our knowledge. For continuous-wave laser operation, a maximum output power of 1.55 W with a slope efficiency of 19.9% is achieved at 2050 nm. Passive Q-switching of the Tm:LuYO3 ceramic is operated using a Cr:ZnSe saturable absorber. Single-wavelength Q-switching at 2047 nm is obtained with a maximum average output power of 0.54 W, a pulse width of 120.3 ns, a pulse energy of 20.5 μJ, and a pulse peak power of 170.6 W. Simultaneous dual-wavelength Q-switching at 1957 and 2047 nm is also attained with corresponding parameter values of 0.92 W, 151.6 ns, 30.2 μJ, and 199.1 W. These results indicate that Tm:LuYO3 ceramic lasers could be a promising laser source operating in the eye-safe spectral region.