Thermal emission properties of Al2O3/Er3Al5O12 eutectic ceramics

The mechanical properties and thermal stability of the Al2O3/Er3Al5O12 (EAG) eutectic ceramics have been investigated at very high temperature. The emissive properties of this eutectic ceramics have also been measured and its possibilities of application to an emitter have been discussed. The present eutectic ceramic has excellent high-temperature strength characteristics, showing that tensile yielding stress is approximately 300 MPa at 1650 degrees C and superior thermal stability at 1700 degrees C in an air atmosphere. The present material shows strong selective emission bands at wavelength 1.5 mu m due to Er3+ ion. The emission bands of this material are nearly coincident with the sensitive region of GaSb PV cell, therefore, the Al2O3/EAG eutectic ceramic can be regarded as one of the promising emitter materials in TPV systems. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.