Three-dimensional grain boundary spectroscopy in transparent high power ceramic laser materials

Using confocal Raman and fluorescence spectroscopic imaging in 3-dimensions, we show direct evidence of inhomogeneous Nd³⁺distribution across grain boundaries (GBs) in Nd³⁺: YAG laser ceramics. It is clearly shown that Nd³⁺segregation takes place at GBs leading to self-fluorescence quenching which affects a volume fraction as high as 20%. In addition, we show a clear trend of increasing spatial inhomogeneities in Nd³⁺concentration when the doping levels exceeds 3 at%, which is not detected by standard spectrometry techniques. These results could point the way to further improvements in what is already an impressive class of ceramic laser materials.