Influences Of Solid Loadings On The Microstructures And The Optical Properties Of Yb:Yag Ceramics

Transparent Y2.85Yb0.15Al5O12 ceramics were prepared using an aqueous tape casting and vacuum sintering method. The rheological properties were measured by a rheometer. The results indicate high quality tapes, and ceramics can be obtained by increasing the solid loading of the corresponding slurries. The densities of the tapes increase from 2.42 to 2.69g/cm(3) by increasing the solid loadings from 35 to 50 vol%. The corresponding green body densities range from 52.7 to 57.1% of the theoretical. The solid loading suitable for fabricating transparent Yb:YAG ceramics should be higher than 45 vol%.