Mixed precipitants derived nanocrystalline powders and RE doped LuAG transparent ceramics

Lu3Al5O12 (LuAG) nanocrystalline powders were synthesized by using ammonium hydroxide (NH4OH, AH) and ammonium hydrogen carbonate (NH4HCO3, AHC) as mixed precipitant. In the absence of sintering aids such as TEOS, MgO or ZrO2, the obtained LuAG powders showed good sinterability in H-2 atmosphere (PLSH) at low temperature. The in-line transmittance of LuAG ceramic reached 81% in the whole visible light band from 400 nm to 800 nm. The average grain size of obtained transparent ceramics was ranged in 1-6 mu m at different sintering temperatures by PLSH. Various kinds of rare earth ions, such as Nd, Yb, Ce, Pr, and Tm doped RE:LuAG transparent ceramics could be prepared by PLSH technology without sintering aids and HIP post-treatment. Through PLSH technology, RE:LuAG transparent ceramics show high optical quality and large aperture size.

Automated summary

LuAG nanocrystalline powders were synthesized using ammonium hydroxide and ammonium hydrogen carbonate as mixed precipitant. The obtained LuAG powders showed good sinterability and high optical quality when sintered at low temperature in H-2 atmosphere by PLSH technology. Transparent ceramics doped with various rare earth ions could be prepared without sintering aids and HIP post-treatment.