Hot pressing of Yb:Sc2O3 laser ceramics with LiF sintering aid

• Published in: Optical materials 2020-02, Vol.100, p.109701, Article 109701
• Main Authors: Permin, D.A., Balabanov, S.S., Snetkov, I.L., Palashov, O.V., Novikova, A.V., Klyusik, O.N., Ladenkov, I.V.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Hot pressing; Laser ceramics; Scandium oxide; Self-propagaring high-temperature synthesis
• ISSN: 0925-3467; 1873-1252
• DOI: 10.1016/j.optmat.2020.109701

The fabrication of transparent Sc2O3 ceramics by hot pressing of self-propagating high-temperature synthesized powders was developed. The effect of lithium fluoride aid and calcination temperature on the powders properties was investigated. After calcination at 1100 °C, uniformly shaped Sc2O3 nanopowders with a primary particle size of less than 50 nm were obtained. Using the prepared powders doped with LiF fully dense optical quality Yb:Sc2O3 transparent ceramics were fabricated by hot pressing. The in-line transmittance of the sample reached 78% at a wavelength of 800 nm. Laser generation with a maximum efficiency of 24% was achieved using a 2% Yb: Sc2O3 sample. •Pure and LiF-doped Scandia nanopowders were prepared by SHS method.•LiF aid promotes hot pressing (HP) process and leads to formation of pore-free Sc2O3 ceramics.•The transmission and luminescence spectra of the Yb:Sc2O3 ceramics were measured.•Laser generation with efficiency of 24% was achieved on the prepared 2%Yb:Sc2O3 sample.