Rare-earth-doped sesquioxides for lasers in the mid-infrared spectral range

Lasers operating in the mid-infrared spectral range are employed in a variety of applications. Devices relying on coherent mid-infrared light sources are found, among others, in medical, metrological, remote sensing, and THz generation implementations. This work focusses on the viability of Pr-, Er-, and Dy-doped sesquioxide crystals as gain materials for mid-infrared laser operation. In the framework of this investigation, various sesquioxide-based crystals have been grown and their spectroscopic properties were analyzed to ascertain their value towards this thesis' goals. In addition, some of the materials were also investigated in laser experiments.