Fabrication And Properties Of Neodymium Doped YAG/YbAG Laser Ceramic

Neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet(Nd:YAG) and neodymium-doped ytterbium aluminium garnet(Nd:YbAG) powders has been synthesized via co-precipitation method using ammonium bicarbonate precipitant. Different pH, calcination temperature and different neodymium doping concentration factors were investigated with the analytical methods of Thermogravimetric-Differential Scanning Calorimeter(TG-DSC), X-ray diffraction, Scanning Electron Microscopy(SEM), Infrared absorption spectrum(IR), laser Raman spectroscopy(LRS),Fluorescence Spectroscopy(FS) to find out how they influence on the phase composition,morphology and optical properties. The optimal Nd:YAG and Nd:YbAG powders which were measured consistent with neodymium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet and ytterbium aluminium garnet were prepared culminating in the condition of 1100 ?/(pH=8) and 1000 ?/(pH:8-9) with the particle sizes of 80 nm /60 nm, respectively. The best peformance near infrared fluorescence of Nd:YAG nano-powders were obtained at when neodymium ions doping with 3 at.%. The Nd:YbAG nano-powders was found representing no concentration quenching in the same neodymium doped range, lower calcination temperature, higher luminous efficiency. Preparation of neodymium-doped YAG / YbAG transparent laser ceramics has been carried out by high-temperature vacuum sintering method. Explored the optimum ceramic sintering process, transmittance, laser performance through SEM, UV-visible spectrophotometer and laser testing methods. The results showed that Nd:YbAG laser ceramic has larger linear shrinkage and more density, but the sintering process is more complex to control and the samples are low transmittance. The Nd: YAG laser ceramic has higher transmittance and superior laser performance.