Updated: Jul 7, 2026

Fabrication of 1-D Photonic Crystal Cavity on a Nanofiber Using Femtosecond Laser-induced Ablation
Published on: February 25, 2017
T T Basiev1, M E Doroshenko, P P Fedorov
1General Physics Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
This study explored the use of CaF(2)-SrF(2)-YbF(3) nanoceramics as a laser material. The researchers found that these ceramics can produce laser light with efficiency close to that of single crystals of similar composition. The nanoceramics showed strong absorption of pump light and efficient emission from Yb(3+) doping. The laser performance was tested under diode pumping, and the results indicated that the ceramics are a viable alternative to single crystals. The findings suggest that nanoceramics could be used in laser systems where single crystals are currently employed. The study supports the potential of nanoceramics as a cost-effective and scalable option for laser applications.
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Area of Science:
Background:
Fluoride ceramics have emerged as promising materials for laser applications due to their optical transparency and compatibility with rare-earth doping. Prior research has shown that single crystals of similar fluoride compositions can achieve high laser efficiency. However, the fabrication of high-quality single crystals is often complex and costly. This gap motivated the exploration of alternative materials, such as ceramics, which may offer similar performance with simpler processing. Existing knowledge includes the role of rare-earth ions in laser emission and the importance of optical quality in laser media. That uncertainty drove the investigation into whether nanoceramics could replicate the performance of single crystals. No prior work had resolved the laser efficiency of CaF(2)-SrF(2)-YbF(3) nanoceramics. The study aimed to address this by examining the optical and laser properties of these materials.
Purpose Of The Study:
The researchers aimed to evaluate the optical and laser performance of CaF(2)-SrF(2)-YbF(3) nanoceramics. The specific problem addressed was whether these ceramics could achieve laser efficiency comparable to single crystals of similar composition. The motivation stemmed from the need for cost-effective and scalable laser materials. The study focused on measuring absorption, fluorescence, and laser oscillation properties. The goal was to determine if the nanoceramics could serve as viable laser hosts. The researchers sought to compare the oscillation slope efficiency of the ceramics with that of single crystals. This comparison would help assess the practicality of using ceramics in laser systems. The study's findings could influence the development of laser materials with reduced fabrication costs.
The study found that these nanoceramics achieved laser oscillation with slope efficiency only a few percent lower than single crystals of similar composition.
Yb(3+) doping contributes to the emission characteristics, as shown by fluorescence measurements in the study.
High optical quality reduces losses in laser output, as demonstrated by the minimal losses observed in the nanoceramics.
The researchers used diode pumping and measured the slope efficiency compared to single crystals.
Main Methods:
The researchers synthesized CaF(2)-SrF(2)-YbF(3) nanoceramics using a method that ensured high optical quality. They characterized the materials using absorption spectroscopy to determine their optical properties. Fluorescence measurements were conducted to assess the emission characteristics of the doped ceramics. The laser oscillation properties were tested under diode pumping to evaluate their performance. The experimental setup included a diode laser as the pump source and a spectrometer for measuring output. The slope efficiency was calculated based on the pump power and laser output. The researchers compared the results with those obtained from single crystals of similar composition. The study focused on achieving high optical quality and efficient laser emission.
Main Results:
The CaF(2)-SrF(2)-YbF(3) nanoceramics demonstrated high optical quality suitable for laser applications. The absorption measurements showed strong absorption at the pump wavelength, indicating efficient energy transfer. Fluorescence data revealed emission characteristics consistent with Yb(3+) doping. The laser oscillation under diode pumping produced a slope efficiency only a few percent lower than that of a single crystal. This result suggests that the ceramics can function as effective laser media. The close similarity in efficiency between ceramics and single crystals is a notable finding. The researchers observed minimal losses in the laser output, indicating high optical quality. These results support the potential of nanoceramics as a viable alternative to single crystals.
Conclusions:
The study demonstrated that CaF(2)-SrF(2)-YbF(3) nanoceramics can achieve laser performance comparable to single crystals of similar composition. The oscillation slope efficiency was only slightly lower, suggesting that the ceramics are suitable for laser applications. The researchers propose that the nanoceramics offer a cost-effective alternative to single crystals. The findings indicate that the optical quality of the ceramics is sufficient for efficient laser operation. The study supports the use of nanoceramics in laser systems where single crystals are traditionally used. The authors suggest that further research could explore the scalability of the fabrication process. The results imply that nanoceramics could be integrated into laser systems with minimal performance loss. The study contributes to the development of alternative laser materials with simpler fabrication methods.
Slope efficiency indicates how effectively pump energy is converted into laser output, with higher values suggesting better performance.
The authors propose that nanoceramics could serve as a cost-effective alternative to single crystals in laser applications.