Abstract
The evolution of microstructure, porosity and optical properties of SiO2, ZrO2-doped Y3Al5O12:Nd3+ laser ceramics obtained by reactive sintering have been studied. The relationship between the relative density and average grain size of garnet ceramics obtained in the 1500–1800°С temperature range has been determined. It has been shown that anomalous behavior of sintering trajectory at Т>1700°С may be due to the inhibition of ceramic grain boundaries mobility by Zr4+ ions. At the sintering temperature of 1800°С a partial decomposition of Y3Al5O12:Nd3+, Si4+, Zr4+ solid solution occurs with precipitation of alumina along grain boundaries of ceramics. The relationships between the residual porosity, in-line optical transmittance and sintering conditions of Y3Al5O12:Nd3+ (4at%) ceramics have been studied. Optical ceramics sintered at T=1750°C for 12h possess residual porosity of 0.0016vol%, in-line optical transmittance of 82.9% at 1064nm wavelength and laser slope efficiency of 33% under diode-pumping at 808nm.
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