Microstructure and optical properties of hot-pressed Er:CaF2 transparent ceramics

CaF2 nanoparticles doped with different Er concentrations were synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The phase compositions and morphology of the obtained Er:CaF2 nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis. It was found that the size and shape of obtained CaF2 nanoparticles were modified through Er3+ doping. High quality Er:CaF2 transparent ceramics were fabricated by hot-pressed sintering method in a vacuum environment. The influence of Er3+ doping concentrations and sintering temperatures on optical transmission and microstructure of Er:CaF2 transparent ceramics were investigated. When doped with 5 mol% Er3+, the CaF2 ceramic sintered at 800 degrees C showed the best optical transmission, and for the 2 mm thickness sample, the optical transmission reached about 90% in the near-infrared spectral region. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.