Influence of the ceramic powder morphology and forming conditions on the optical transmittance of YAG:Yb ceramics

Abstract The influence of the dispersity and morphology of ceramic powders on the characteristics of green bodies and the optical transmittance of YAG:Yb (20 at%) ceramics was considered. The effect of the specific surface area on the relative density of compacts was studied. An increase in the specific surface area from 1.45 to 12.38 m2/g led to a decrease in the relative density of green body compacts from 52% to 38% under the fixed uniaxial pressure of 50 MPa. An increase in the uniaxial pressing value up to 150 MPa provided a maximum increase of the optical transmission of ceramics. However, an increase in the specific surface area and uniaxial pressure led to the appearance of macrodefects in ceramic samples. Cold isostatic pressing at 200 MPa after uniaxial pressing at 50 MPa resulted in an increase of optical transparency and the elimination of the macrodefect formation in ceramics. Dispersity and morphology of ceramic powders have a significant effect on the optical transparency of ceramics. Forming conditions had insignificant influence on optical characteristics. Highly transparent YAG:Yb ceramics with 80% transmittance were developed.