Preliminary Study In Preparation Of Nd³⁺: YAG And Sm³⁺: Y₂O₃ Transparent Ceramics

In the present work we present preliminary research on producing of transparent polycrystalline ceramics. Samarium doped Yttrium oxide (1%, 3% and 5%) and Neodymium (1%) doped YAG (Y₃Al₅O₁₂) translucent ceramics were fabricated by solid-state reaction. Commercial nanopowders was used as the starting materials: Sm₂O₃ (6μm) and Y₂O₂ (20-50 nm) for Sm³⁺: Y₂O₃ and α-Al₂O₃, Y₂O₃ and Nd₂O₃ (20-50 nm) for Nd³⁺: YAG. For the preparation of Nd³⁺: YAG, 0.5 wt% tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) was use as sintering additive, and 1 wt % PEG (polyethylene glycol-400) as dispersant.