Influence of (Nd+Y)/Al ratio on sintering behavior and optical features of Y3-xNdxAl5O12 ceramics for laser applications
In this study, Nd:YAG ceramics with different (Nd+Y)/Al ratios around the stoichiometric one ((Nd+Y)/Al = 0.6000) with high accuracy (better than 0.1%) were elaborated by solid-state reactive-sintering under vacuum. The influence of (Nd+Y)/Al ratio on sintering behavior, microstructural and optical...
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Published in | Optical materials Vol. 77; pp. 264 - 272 |
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Main Authors | , , , , , |
Format | Journal Article |
Language | English |
Published |
Elsevier B.V
01.03.2018
Elsevier |
Subjects | |
Online Access | Get full text |
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Summary: | In this study, Nd:YAG ceramics with different (Nd+Y)/Al ratios around the stoichiometric one ((Nd+Y)/Al = 0.6000) with high accuracy (better than 0.1%) were elaborated by solid-state reactive-sintering under vacuum. The influence of (Nd+Y)/Al ratio on sintering behavior, microstructural and optical properties of as-obtained ceramics were systematically studied. This study shows that Al-excess strongly promotes mass transfer by diffusion, and consequently, densification and grain growth processes whereas Y-excess lead to opposite behavior. Results were interpreted by considering several parameters such as local chemical composition, intrinsic/extrinsic crystalline defects, and interactions between pores, secondary phases and grain boundaries. Finally, exact stoichiometry or Y-excess appear to be more favorable to obtain highly transparent Nd:YAG ceramics suitable for laser operation.
•(Nd+Y)/Al ratio was managed with high accuracy (better than 0.1%) thanks to solid-state reactive sintering process.•Y-excess slows-down sintering kinetics of Nd:YAG ceramics and Al-excess acts on the contrary.•The most favorable sintering trajectory is observed for stoichiometric samples.•Optical properties of YAG ceramics are much less affected by Y-excess than by Al-excess.•This work shows that Y-excess is more favorable than Al-excess to manufacture highly transparent Nd:YAG ceramics. |
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ISSN: | 0925-3467 1873-1252 |
DOI: | 10.1016/j.optmat.2018.01.028 |