Fabrication of Yb3+-doped YAG transparent ceramics by aqueous gelcasting

Abstract

In this work, Yb:YAG transparent ceramics were prepared through aqueous gel-casting forming technique. Single-phase Yb:YAG nanopowders with mean particle size of 170 nm were used to prepare Yb:YAG slurries. The rheological properties of Yb:YAG slurries were investigated as a function of pH value and the dispersant content. It was found that the maximum zeta potential was achieved at pH = 11.5 with 2 wt% dispersant content (based on the weight of Yb:YAG powders). And then, the stable slurries with different solid loading (30–40 vol%) were prepared by ball milling and casted to form green bodies. The influence of the solid loading on microstructure of green bodies was investigated. The result showed that the green body with solid loading of 38 vol% had no deformation and exhibited homogeneous and compact microstructure with a relative density of 56.3 %. Finally, high optical quality Yb:YAG ceramic was obtained with the in-line transmittance of 81.2 % (1 mm thick). Highly transparent Yb:YAG transparent ceramics were prepared through aqueous gel-casting forming technique starting from the raw materials of single-phase Yb:YAG nanopowders.