Preparation of (Tb1-xLux)2O3 transparent ceramics by solid solution for magneto-optical application

Novel (Tb1-xLux)(2)O-3 magneto-optical transparent ceramics were prepared through a solid-solution method via vacuum pre-sintering followed by hot isostatic pressing (HIP). The Lu-containing samples were solid-solution phases between Tb2O3 and Lu2O3, which effectively stabilized the phase transition of Tb2O3 during the sinter ing process. A typical component of (Tb1-xLux)(2)O-3 ceramic with x = 0.5 was selected to study the densification behavior and microstructure evolution in detail. The polished (Tb0.5Lu0.5)(2)O-3 ceramics with a thickness of 3 mm vacuum pre-sintered at 1700 degrees C under 1.0 x 10-3 Pa combined with HIP post-treatment at 1600 degrees C showed good magneto-optical property. The Verdet constant measured at 633 nm was -224.33 rad.T-1 m(-1), 30% higher than that of Tb3Al5O12 (TAG). However, the in-line transmittance was 73.6% at 633 nm, lower than that of TAG. The (Tb1-xLux)(2)O-3 ceramics will be a promising material for Faraday devices after further improving the optical quality.

Automated summary

The novel (Tb1-xLux)(2)O-3 magneto-optical transparent ceramics, prepared via vacuum pre-sintering and hot isostatic pressing, exhibit good magneto-optical properties with a higher Verdet constant than TAG, but a lower transmittance at 633 nm. Further improvement in optical quality is needed for these ceramics to be used in Faraday devices.