We present our efforts towards power scaling of Er:Lu₂O₃ lasers at 2.85 µm. By applying a dual-end diode-pumped resonator scheme, we achieve an output power of 14.1 W at an absorbed pump power of 59.7 W with a slope efficiency of 26%. In a single-end pumped resonator scheme, an output power of 10.1 W is reached under 41.9 W of absorbed pump power. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first single crystalline mid-infrared rare-earth-based solid-state laser with an output power exceeding 10 W at room temperature.

Zirconium carbide (ZrC) with layered structure and nanoparticle morphology was prepared by sonication in an ethyl alcohol solvent. The morphology and saturable absorption properties of the ZrC were systematically analyzed. By using ZrC nanoparticle coated substrates as saturable absorbers, stable Q-switched 3 μm Er:Lu2O3 lasers were realized. Pulse durations of 50 ns with pulse energies of 20 μJ and peak power of 0.4 kW are the shortest obtained with novel-material-based Q-switched lasers in the 3 μm wavelength range.