Combined Influence of MgO and TEOS Sintering Additives on the Structure and Optical Properties of the Ceramic Yag:Yb, Er

Abstract

The effect of sintering additives based on magnesium oxide MgO and silicon oxide (TEOS) at concentrations0.02 – 0.10 wt.% and 0.2 – 0.5 wt.%, respectively, on the microstructure and optical properties of ceramics with the composition Y2.82Yb0.15Er0.03Al5O12, made from powders synthesized by chemical coprecipitation. The results demonstrated that the introduction of an MgO-based sintering additive into ceramic powder does not affect its phase composition, structural, or morphological characteristics. It was shown that for ceramics with the composition Y2.82Yb0.15Er0.03Al5O12 the best optical transmittance value was achieved at vacuum sintering temperature 1800°C and sintering additive concentrations 0.06 wt.% MgO and 0.3 wt.% TEOS. The sintering mechanism of the ceramic Y2.82Yb0.15Er0.03Al5O12 depends on the ratio of the sintering additives MgO and TEOS.