Transparent polycrystalline ceramic laser materials

High-resolution spectroscopy of the rare earth ions in transparent ceramics of garnets and sesquioxides produced by solid-state synthesis indicate that the variety, nature and structure of the centers formed by the doping ions, their quantum states (energy levels, transition probabilities) and interionic interactions as well as the distribution of the doping ions at the available lattice sites is similar to those of the corresponding single crystals. Moreover, the increased compositional versatility of ceramics enables tailoring of new or improved laser materials. It is inferred that from spectroscopic point of view, the transparent polycrystalline ceramics can substitute the single crystal and extend their capabilities. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.