Ceramics for Laser Technologies

In this article we present an overview of transparent ceramic materials for laser applications, with major attention on polycrystalline laser gain media. The most commonly used laser ceramics are introduced (rare-earth garnets, sesquioxides) and the methods for their production are shown, illustrating the advantages of ceramic processing as well as the main transparency-related issues and optical requirements for laser-quality ceramics. Thermal properties are also discussed. Eventually, the aim of this article is to illustrate the application potential of ceramic materials in laser technology and provide the reader the information about the fabrication possibilities, leading to new generations of laser host materials, with a composite structure produced without the need of bonding.