Effect of B2O3 additive on the microstructure and luminescent properties of spark plasma sintered YAG: Ce transparent ceramics

Transparent ceramics Y 3 Al 5 O 12 : Ce 3+ (YAG: Ce) were prepared by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process with B 2 O 3 acting as the sintering additive. The effect of B 2 O 3 on the microstructure and luminescent properties were examined. With the help of the liquid phase created by the low melting point B 2 O 3 additives, the carbon contamination of the SPS prepared YAG: Ce ceramics was remarkably relieved, the relative density and the in-line transmittance were enhanced, and the starting temperature of densification was lowered by approximately 170 °C. Moreover, the B 2 O 3 additive could enter into the YAG host lattice as a dopant . Consequently, the smaller B 3+ ions replaced the Al 3+ ions, enhancing the crystal field splitting of Ce 3+ and significantly redshifting its 5d→4 f emission band.