Fabrication, microstructure and optical characterizations of holmium oxide (Ho2O3) transparent ceramics

Ho2O3 transparent ceramics were fabricated by vacuum pre-sintering combined with hot isostatic pressing (HIP) post-treatment at relatively low temperature from high-purity powder calcined 1000 °C for 4 h. The optimal ceramic sample prepared 1250 and HIP post-treating 1450 has a dense microstructure average grain size of 0.77 ?m, the in-line transmittances reach 80.7 % 1550 nm 76.7 1064 nm. effect air annealing on optical quality was studied, existence compressed pores in HIP-ed confirmed. Verdet constants measured to be -47.4 rad/(T m -15.4 1561 High transmittance large constant wavelength regions 1–1.07 1.3–1.5 ?m make promising magneto-optical devices lasers based Yb-, Nd-doped materials telecom lasers.