Preparation of transparent neodymium-doped yttrium aluminate garnet (Nd:YAG) ceramics with the use of freeze granulation

This paper presents the results of the application of freeze granulation to the production of transparent neodymium-doped yttrium–aluminum garnet ceramics. Aqueous suspensions of aluminium oxide, yttrium oxide and neodymium oxide powders were prepared based on nanometric or submicronic powders which were either commercially available or prepared by precipitation. The relations between the composition of suspension, the properties of granulate and the final properties of ceramics (microstructure, optical transmission and emission spectra) were studied.