Nanopowders M2O3 (M = Y, La, Yb, Nd) with spherical particles and laser ceramics based on them

We have considered the problems of agglomeration of yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG) nanopowders prepared by chemical co-precipitation of precursors from aqueous solutions and subsequent calcination. To fabricate YAG and Y₂O₃ laser ceramic samples with high optical transmittance and reproducible characteristics, we have developed a method for producing non-agglomerated nanopowders of pure and doped Y₂O₃ by homogeneous chemical precipitation. Nanopowders Y₂O₃ with La and Yb as well as mixtures of Y₂O₃ : Nd and several commercial nanopowders of aluminium oxide have been compacted; optimised compacting technique have been selected; ceramic samples (Y, La, Yb)₂O₃ and YAG : Nd with high optical transmittance at a wavelength of 1 mm have been produced by solid-phase synthesis.