Preparation of Nd∶YAG Transparent Ceramic via Hot Pressing Post-treatment Embedded in BN Powders

The transparent Nd3+∶Y3Al5O12(Nd∶YAG)ceramics with the size of 30mm in diameter and 3.05mm in thickness were fabricated by a composite sintering method(i.e.,solid state reaction sintering and hot pressing post-treatment embedded in BN powders)with the commercial oxide powders as raw materials.The effect of hot pressing post-treatment embedded in BN powders on the optical properties,residual stress and optical uniformity of Nd∶YAG ceramics was investigated.The results show that the application of the BN powders can solve the problem of crack and carbon contamination during hot pressing effectively.This method can reduce the residual pores in the ceramic body and improve the transmittance of Nd∶YAG transparent ceramic.The transmittance of the Nd∶YAG ceramic obtained is 80%.The hot pressing post-treatment embedded in BN powder has no effect on the residual stress distribution and the optical homogeneity of Nd∶YAG transparent ceramic.The laser performance of Nd∶YAG ceramic sample was examined by a fiber-coupled 808nm LD as a pump.It is indicated that the the CW laser output can be realized,the maximal output power is 3.6Wand the efficiency of optical to optical is 20%.