First laser operation from diode-pumped highly doped Yb:Gd2O3 and Yb:Y2O3 crystals grown by flux method

In this contribution, the authors present, the first laser experiments ever demonstrated with Yb:Gd2O3 and Yb:Y2O3 crystals grown by this new flux method. The demonstrated the first diode-pumped Yb:Gd2O3 laser. Furthermore the new and advantageous flux method allows for the growth of highly Yb-doped sesquioxides which is very promising for the elaboration of cubic Re2O3 dedicated to thin-disk laser applications.