Fabrication and laser output of transparent Nd:YAG ceramics from microwave synthesized precursors

We report the laser output of transparent Nd：YAG （Nd：Y3Al5O12） ceramics fabricated from Nd：YAG precursors through the microwave-assisted homogenous precipitation （MAHP） method. Pure phase and uniform Nd：YAG nano-powders with average sizes less than 100 nm were obtained by heating treatment of.the Nd：YAG precursor particles aged for 6 d in vessel with humidity of 30%-50% at 25℃. Transparent Nd：YAG ceramic pellets were obtained by vacuum sintering at 1730℃ for 10 h. Laser output （305 roW） with a slope efficiency of 5.1% was realized through an end-pumped configuration. Our results indicate that the MAHP method could potentially be used for the fabrication of laser ceramic products,

Damage characteristics of YAG transparent ceramics under different loading conditions

YAG (Y_(3)Al_(5)O_(12)) transparent ceramics have attractive application prospects for transparent armor protection modules because of their excellent light transmittance and anti-ballistic capability. Understanding the fracture behavior and damage mechanism of YAG is necessary for armor design. To explore the damage characteristics of YAG under compression and tension, shock compression and shockless spalling experiments with soft recovery technique are conducted. The spall strength of YAG is obtained and the recovered samples are observed by CT and SEM. It is shown that the macroscopic damage characteristic of YAG under compression is vertical split cracks with oblique fine cracks distributed in the entire sample, while that under tension is horizontal transgranular cracks concentrated near the main spall surface. The cracks generated by macroscopic compression, tension and shear stress extend in similar tensile form at the microscale. The proportion of transgranular fractures on spall surfaces is higher than that of cracks induced by macroscopic compression. Meanwhile, higher loading rate and longer loading duration increase the transgranular fracture percentage.

Comparative spectroscopic investigation of Yb-doped YAG,YSAG and YLaO_3 transparent ceramics

Transparent Yb doped YAG, YSAG and YaLaO3 ceramics are fabricated by using the co-precipitation method. The spectral properties and thermal parameters of these Yb doped cubic phase transparent ceramics are compared, and their different and potential applications are also analysed. The absorption cross-section and the emission cross-section of these ceramics are measured and calculated. The essential properties of these materials especially for the rep-rated pulsed high-energy diode-pumped solid-state lasers are investigated. The results show that Yb doped YAG, YSAG and YaLaO3 are all suitable materials used for diode-pumped solid-state lasers.

Effect of Additive on Microstructure of Transparent YAG Ceramics

Transparent YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet) ceramics were fabricated by solid-state reaction method. Effect of additive (tetraethyl orthosilicate, TEOS) on microstructure of YAG ceramics was investigated. If the addition of TEOS is more than 3% (mass fraction), large amount of liquid phase can be yielded at grain boundaries, resulting in the formation of second phase particles at grain boundaries. If the addition is less than 0.05% (mass fraction), pores are entrapped in the grains. The suitable amount is 0.5% (mass fraction). A fully transparent YAG ceramic was fabricated by vacuum sintering at 1700 ℃ for 5 h. Optical transmittance of the YAG ceramic is 63% in the visible light wavelengths and 70% in the infrared wavelengths.

Novel Phenomenon on Valence Unvariation of Doping Ion in Yb:YAG Transparent Ceramics Using MgO Additives

Yb：YAG nanopowders were synthesized by the alcohol-water co-precipitatlon method adding MgO as sintering additives. Appropriate amount of MgO adding can restrict the agglomeration and reduce the particle size of Yb：YAG powders. When the MgO content was 0.04wt%, well-dispersed Yb：YAG powders with ellipsoidal particles of less than 100 nm diameter were obtained. The experimental results showed the valence variation of doping ion Yb〉 would not appear when adding MgO as sintering additives, so ceramics showed colorless transparent instead of green due to Yb^2＋ color center using traditional SiO2 as additives. The transmission of the sintered Yb：YAG ceramics can reach 80.6% even without annealing. Ceramic morphology showed that the grains had uniform-distribution with the size of 10 iam or so, and no impurity and pore existed in the grain boundary and crystalline while using optimal sintering conditions.

Preparation and Upconversion Luminescence of Y_3Al_5O_(12):Yb^(3+),Er^(3+)Transparent Ceramics

YAG： 1% （atom fraction） Yb^3＋ , 0.5% （atom fraction） Er3＋ transparent ceramics were fabricated by the solid state reaction method using high-purity Y2O3, Al2O3, Yb2O3, and Er2O3 powders as starting materials. The mixed powder compact was sintered at 1760 ℃ for 6 h in vacuum and annealed at 1500 ℃ for 10 h in an air atmosphere. The ceramics consisted of about 10μm grains and exhibited a pore-free structure. The optical transmittance of the ceramics at 1064 nm was nearly 80%. Upconversion emissions were investigated on the ceramics pumped by a 980 nm continuous wave diode laser, and strong green emission centered at 523 and 559 nm and red emission centered at 669 nm were observed, which originated from the radiative transitions of ^2H11/2→^4I15/2, ^4S3/2→^4I15/2, and ^4F9/2→^4I15/2 of Er^3＋ ions, respectively.

Preparation of Yb:YAG Transparent Laser Ceramics with Urea Co-Precipitation Method

YAG phosphor doped with Yb (3+) for transparent ceramics was prepared by the co-precipitation method with urea used as precipitant. DTA-TG,XRD,SEM and IR spectrum analyzers were used to investigate the structure and morphology of the precursor and the sintered poly-crystal. The results indicates that the weight loss is about 40% as the powder calcined at 1200 ℃,and well-crystallized YAG powder is obtained with particle size in the range of 100～150 nm. The SEM analysis of the fracture surface of the sintered body shows that the grain size is about 1～2 μm and the pore volume is very low. The ceramics body with favorite optical properties is obtained by sintering at 1700 ℃.

Synthesis and Spectral Properties of Nd^(3+)∶Gd_3Ga_5O_(12) Nanopowder for Transparent Laser Ceramics

Nd^3＋： Gd3Ga5O12（Nd ： GGG） nanopowder for transparent laser ceramics was synthesized using sol-gel method. XRD, SEM, and fluorescence spectrum were used to study the properties of Nd^3＋ ：Gd3Ga5O12 nanopowder. XRD patterns of samples show that it has a cubic structure. Meanwhile, pure Nd：GGG crystals were obtained at 1000 ℃ for 12 h. SEM photographs show that dispersed, uniform, ball-like Nd：GGG nanopowder is obtained. Both XRD and SEM results show that the crystallization degree and the grain size increase with the increase in calcining temperature. Analysis of fluorescence spectrum shows that fluorescence emission occurs at 1062.7 nm, which is the result of Nd^3＋ （^4F3/2→^4I11/2） transition. Homogenous Nd ： GGG nanopewder with a small grain size synthesized using the sol-gel method is favorable for sintering the transparent ceramic, which proves that the nanopewder obtained is suitable as a precursor for preparing GGG transparent ceramics.

Nd^(3)+:YAG-Al_(2)O_(3) nanocrystalline transparent ceramics with high inflexion concentration quenching of Nd^(3+) prepared by amorphous crystallization

Rare earth ion-doped Y_(3)Al_(5)O_(12)(YAG)-based transparent ceramics have been used as important laser gain media for a long time,yet the doping concentration of active ions is limited due to concentration quenching,wherein the inflexion concentration quenching of Nd^(3+)is recognized as 1.0 at%.In this work,YAG-Al_(2)O_(3) nanocrystalline transparent ceramics with a concentration of Nd^(3+)(O-5.0 at%)were fabricated via amorphous crystallization,and the crystal structure evolution,morphology,and optical properties were systematically investigated by differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),X-ray powder diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),magnetic resonation(MAS),nuclear magnetic resonation(NMR),and fluorescence spectroscopy.The doping of Nd^(3+)can promote the transition of Al[5]and Al[6]to Al[14],indicating improvements in the ability of the amorphous material to form Nd^(3+):Y_(2)O_(3)-Al_(2)O_(3) vitrified beads,and 1.5 at%Nd^(3+):YAG-Al_(2)O_(3) nanocrystalline transparent ceramics can be obtained by crystallization at 1050℃ with a matrix composed of YAG and concomitant δ-Al_(2)O_(3) and θ-Al_(2)O_(3).The nanocrystalline transparent ceramics show an internal transmitance of 89.56%at 1064 nm,and the strongest emission peak corresponds to the energy transfer from 4F_(3/2) to 4l_(11/2) of Nd^(3+)with a fluorescence lifetime of 231μs when pumped by an 808 nm laser.Specifically,spectral broadening begins to occur,indicating the onset of concentration quenching,when the concentration of Nd^(3+)exceeds 1.5 at%,substantially higher than the 1.0 at% observed in YAG ceramics.YAG-Al_(2)O_(3) nanocrystalline transparent ceramics obtained by amorphous crystalization can be utilized as the matrix to increase the inflexion point of doping concentration quenching of Nd^(3+),and this material may have great potential as a laser gain medium.

Investigation on the scattering effect of ceramic Nd:YAG

This paper investigates the scattering effect of domestic 0.5 at% ceramic Nd：YAG. An effective method has been utilized to measure the scattering and absorption coefficients. An end-pumped continuous wave （CW） Nd：YAG ceramic laser was also demonstrated. A maximum output power of 6.7 W at 1064 nm was obtained at an 808-nm pump power of 32.9 W. Conversion efficiency and slope efficiency have been achieved. This indicates that scattering has an important effect on the optical performance of ceramic Nd：YAG.

Preparation of Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Transparent Ceramics by Homogeneous Precipitation Method

substitutes tion, high loosely dis Neodymium doped-yttrium aluminum garnet （Nd ： YAG） transparent polycrystalline ceramics already become of single crystals because they are provided with easy fabrication, low cost, large size, highly doped concentraheat conductivity, mass fabrication, multi-layers and multi-filnctions. The Nd：YAG precursor powders with persed , slightly agglomerated, super fine and YAG cubic crystal phase were synthesized at 1100 ℃ by the homogeneous precipitation method, using Nd2O3, Y2O3, Al（NO3）3·9H2O and urea as raw materials, （NH4）2SO4 as electrical stabilizer, TEOS as sintering additive. The Nd：YAG transparent ceramics were prepared after being vacuum sintered at 1700 ℃ for 5 h. The Nd：YAG ceramic materials were characterized by the TG-DTA, XRD, FT-IR, TEM, FEG-ESEM and FT-PL. The results show that the crystallization temperature of YAG is 850 ℃ and the intermediate crystal phase YAP forming during the heat treatment transforms to YAG cubic crystal phase at 1050 ℃. The lasing wavelength of （Nd0.01 Y0.99）3Al5O12 transparent ceramics is 1.065 μm and there exists a slight red-shift compared to the single crystal with the same chemical composition. The optical transmittance is 45 % in the visible light and 58 % in the near infrared light and the optical transmittance descends with the decreasing the wavelength.

A high-power high-stability Q-switched green laser with intracavity frequency doubling using a diode-pumped composite ceramic Nd:YAG laser

We successfully obtain a high-average-power high-stability Q-switched green laser based on diode-side-pumped composite ceramic Nd：YAG in a straight piano-concave cavity. The temperature distribution in composite ceramic Nd：YAG crystal is numerically analyzed and compared with that of conventional Nd：YAG crystal. By using a composite ceramic Nd：YAG rod and a type-II high gray track resistance KTP （HGTR-KTP） crystal, a green laser with an average output power of 165 W is obtained at a repetition rate of 25 kHz, with a diode-to-green optical conversion of 14.68%, and a pulse width of 162 ns. To the best of our knowledge, both the output power and optical-to-optical efficiency are the highest values for green laser systems with intracavity frequency doubling of this novel composite ceramic Nd：YAG laser to date. The power fluctuation at around 160 W is lower than 0.3% in 2.5 hours.

Effect of Heat Treatment on Crystallization of Nd:YAG Ceramics

（Nd0.01Y0.99）3Al5O12 nano-sized powders were synthesized by low temperature combustion （LCS）, using Nd2O3, Y2O3, Al（NO3）3.9H2O, ammonia water and citric acid as starting materials. The powders were characterized by TG-DTA, XRD, FT-IR, ICP and TEM, respectively. The grain sizes were calculated by the Scherrer＇s formula using the full width at half maximum （FWHM） of YAG （420） crystal plane diffraction lines. The study focused on crystallization of ceramics at different heat treatment temperatures. The experimental results show that crystallizing temperature of YAG is 850 ℃, and the intermediate crystal phase YAP, appearing during heat treatment, transforms to YAG cubic crystal phase at the temperature of 1 050℃. The particle size of the powders synthesized by LCS is nano-sized. With the temperature increasing, the mean grain sizes raise, the stand deviations keep almost at the value of 2.0 and the lattice parameters decrease. The grains mainly grow by grain boundary diffusion. The lattice parameter expansion is caused by an increase of the repulsive dipolar interactions on surfaces of crystallites,

Preparation of transparent yttrium aluminum garnet ceramics by relatively low temperature solid-state reaction

A new preparation method for a highly sinterable Y 2O 3 powder was developed, using the mixture of the powder with Al 2O 3 powder, a transparent yttrium aluminum garnet(YAG) ceramic was prepared at relatively low temperature by a solid state reaction method. Yttrium nitrate was used as a mother salt, and aqueous ammonia was used as a precipitant reagent, the fine and dendritic precursor crystalline was prepared by adding 0.5% ammonium sulfate into the precipitation reaction system. The highly pure and low agglomerated Y 2O 3 powders were obtained by calcinating the precursor at 1 100 ℃, the primary particles are spherical and 60 nm in diameter. The mixture of Y 2O 3 and Al 2O 3 powders was calcinated, and the resulting mixture compact pressed in mold could be sintered to transparency under vacuum at 1 700 ℃. The sintered transparent YAG polycrystalline exhibits a homogeneous microstructure and its transmittance reaches 45% in the visible light region and 70% in the near infrared wavelength region.

Efficient Diode-Pumped Actively Q-Switched Ceramic Nd:YAG/YVO4 Raman Laser Operating at 1657 nm

A diode-pumped actively Q-switched Raman laser is demonstrated, with YV04 employed as Raman active medium, based on a ceramic Nd：YAG laser operating at 1444nm. The first-stokes Raman generation at 1657nm is achieved. A maximum output power of as high as 612mW is obtained under a pump power of 20. 7 W and at a pulse repetition frequency rate of 20kHz, corresponding to an optical-to-optical conversion efficiency of 3%.

Nd^3＋离子掺杂YAG激光透明陶瓷的光谱性质及Judd-Ofelt理论分析

采用固相反应和真空烧结技术制备了掺杂浓度为1.0at%的Nd:YAG透明陶瓷样品,并测试了样品的吸收光谱和荧光光谱.样品在主吸收峰808nm处的吸收截面为3.10×10^(-20)cm^2,主荧光发射峰位于1064nm处,实测荧光寿命为257μs.应用Judd-Ofelt理论计算了Nd^(3+)在YAG中的强度参数Ω_λ(λ=2,4,6)、跃迁的振子强度、自发辐射跃迁几率、辐射寿命、荧光分支比等光谱参数.最后计算得到Nd:YAG透明陶瓷中Nd^(3+):~4F_(3/2)→I_(11/2)跃迁对应的受激发射截面大小为3.81×10^(-19)cm^2.结果表明:Nd:YAG透明陶瓷具有较大的受激发射截面和高的荧光量子效率(接近100%),是一种性能优良的激光材料.

Nd∶YAG多晶透明陶瓷的光谱性质

为了研究Nd∶YAG多晶透明陶瓷作为激光增益介质的可能性 ,测量了掺杂原子数分数为 1%的Nd∶YAG多晶透明陶瓷的吸收光谱、荧光光谱、荧光寿命等光学参量 ,并和Nd∶YAG单晶进行了比较。测量结果表明 ,Nd∶YAG多晶透明陶瓷作为激光增益介质具有极大的潜力。

Cr^(4+),Nd^(3+)∶YAG自调Q激光透明陶瓷的光谱性质

以高纯α-Al2O3、Y2O3、Nd2O3和Cr2O3粉体为原料,CaO为电荷补偿剂,正硅酸乙酯(TEOS)为烧结助剂,采用固相反应法和真空烧结技术成功制备了高质量的Cr4+,Nd3+∶YAG透明陶瓷。研究了其在室温下的吸收光谱和发射光谱性质,0.1%Cr,1.0%Nd∶YAG(Cr,Nd为摩尔分数,下同)透明陶瓷在808nm处的吸收截面为4.27×10-20cm2,1064nm处的发射截面和荧光寿命分别为1.52×10-20cm2和206μs。由Cr4+,Nd3+∶YAG透明陶瓷的吸收和发射光谱计算出的吸收和发射截面,进一步估算了材料的激光性能参数,并对其激光性能进行理论预测。Cr,Nd∶YAG透明陶瓷很可能是一种具有潜力的自调Q激光材料。

低温燃烧法制备Nd:YAG透明激光陶瓷粉体

以硝酸盐和柠檬酸为初始原料,用低温燃烧法制备出掺钕钇铝石榴石(Nd:Y3Al5O12,Nd:YAG)多晶超细粉体,并采用XRD,SEM等测试手段对粉体的结构和形貌进行了表征。结果表明,在950℃煅烧2h得到了结晶性能良好的Nd:YAG超细粉体,该粉体分散均匀、粒级分布窄、平均粒度为50nm。上述粉体加入0.5%正硅酸乙酯成型后,采用SPS于1600℃,30MPa下烧结5min后相对密度达98.5%,晶粒尺寸在1μm左右,显微结构均匀,气孔率低。

固相反应法制备Nd:YAG透明陶瓷

以Y(NO3)3和NH3·H2O为原料,并在Y(NO3)3溶液中添加少量(NH4)2SO4,采用沉淀法制备出化学组成为Y2(OH)5(NO3)·nH2O的先驱沉淀物.先驱沉淀物在1100℃下煅烧4h,得到了平均粒径为60nm的氧化钇原料粉体.Y2O3粉体与Al2O3、Nd2O3超细粉球磨混合后,采用固相反应工艺,经1700℃真空烧结5h,制备出透明的Nd:YAG陶瓷,同时对Nd:YAG透明陶瓷的光学性能进行了研究.