Efficient lasing in Yb:(YLa)2O3 ceramics

A high-optical-quality sample of Yb_0.1Y_1.7La_0.2O₃ ceramics is prepared using a recently developed technique of selfpropagating high-temperature synthesis of rare-earth-doped yttrium oxide nanopowder from acetate – nitrates of metals. Its optical and spectral characteristics are studied, and quasi-cw lasing at a wavelength of 1033 nm is achieved with a power of 7 W and a slope efficiency of 25%.