Synthesis of Tb3Al5O12 (TAG) transparent ceramics for potential magneto-optical applications

Tb3Al5O12 transparent ceramics have been prepared by solid state reaction and vacuum sintering. The optical quality and the microstructure of the samples were investigated. The sample sintered at 1650 °C possessed relatively good optical transparency from 400 nm to 1600 nm. The Verdet constant measured at 632.8 nm of the quasi-pore-free Tb3Al5O12 transparent ceramic was −172.72 rad T−1 m−1, which was close to the counterpart of Tb3Al5O12 single crystal. The thermal conductivity of the sample was also measured. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that Tb3Al5O12 transparent ceramic with relatively good optical quality and magneto-optical property has been reported.

► Tb3Al5O12 (TAG) single crystals has ideal magneto-optical properties but difficult to grow for its incongruent melting.
► TAG transparent ceramics might be a solution to achieve the excellent magneto-optical property of TAG single crystals.
► Almost pure TAG phase transparent ceramics could be got by solid state reaction and vacuum sintering.
► For the TAG transparent ceramic with the best quality, the Verdet constant was –172.72 rad T–1 m–1 at 632.8 nm.
► The thermal conductivity at room temperature was 6.5 W m–1 K–1.