Fabrication of YAG:RE (RE = Yb, Nd, Cr) Ceramics Using Divalent Sintering Aids

Abstract

High-quality YAG:RE (Yb, Nd, Cr) ceramics with CaO and MgO as sintering aids were manufactured by solid state reactive sintering method in vacuum. Influence of annealing temperature on optical properties was studied. This combination of sintering aids requires annealing temperatures at least 1300∘C to fully eliminate oxygen vacancies and at least 1400∘C to convert Cr3+ to Cr4+. It was found that annealing in oxidizing atmosphere creates strong changes in short wavelength transmittance.


 


 


Keywords: laser ceramics, Yttrium aluminium garnet, sintering aids

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