Optimizing co-precipitated Nd:YAG nanopowders for transparent ceramics

Nd:YAG transparent ceramics were obtained by vacuum sintering from nanopowders synthesized by co-precipitation method. The co-precipitated powder was optimized by studying calcination temperature (from 800 to 1300 °C) of the precursor and ball-milling time (from 0 to 24 h). Influences of calcination temperature and ball-milling time on comprehensive properties of nanopowders were studied in detail. Influences of sintering conditions (sintering temperature and holding time) on transmittance and microstructure were also investigated. The conclusions based on a comprehensive study of the whole ceramics processing from the powders synthesis to Nd:YAG ceramics sintering. The co-precipitated powder calcined at 1250 °C with ball-milling for 12 h demonstrates relatively better comprehensive properties. The 1.0 at% Nd:YAG ceramic sample with the thickness of 1.3 mm sintered at 1775 °C for 20 h has the highest in-line transmittance of 76.0% at 1064 nm.