Crystal growth and thermal conductivity of an Tm³⁺-doped Y₂O₃ for IR eye-safe laser

Refractory undoped and Tm³⁺-doped (0.15, 1, 3 and 5 mol.%) Y₂O₃ single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down method. Chemical analysis showed a homogeneous distribution of Tm³⁺ dopant along the crystal rod. The dependence of thermal conductivity on Tm³⁺ concentration in Tm³⁺: Y₂O₃ was characterized. The value decreases when the Tm³⁺ concentration increases in the host but still stays high enough (7.46 Wm^-1K^-1) when doped with Tm³⁺ (5 mol.%), which represents a promising material for an infrared eye-safe laser application.