Erbium-doped LAS glass ceramics prepared by spark plasma sintering (SPS)

Abstract

Dense nanocrystalline glass ceramics of the Li 2O–Al 2O 3–SiO 2 (LAS) system were obtained by spark plasma sintering (SPS) of powders prepared by sol–gel method. The low thermal expansion LAS glass ceramic was chosen as host matrix for erbium ions. ZrO 2 was added both as a nucleating agent and as a possible good environment for the rare earth. The developed crystalline phases were analysed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and the amorphous phase was quantified. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM, TEM) was used to investigate the microstructure. A different behaviour during the crystallisation process was observed between the sample prepared through the sintering of powders and the glass produced by the melting technique. A photoluminescence characterisation was also performed.