Development of Nd3+:Y3Al5O12 laser ceramics by high-pressure colloidal slip-casting (HPCSC) method

Method of preparation YAG laser ceramics using nanopowders obtained by calcining of precursors deposited from nitrate solutions with ammonium bicarbonate as a precipitant was developed. Rheological properties of slurries with different deflocculant concentrations were investigated. High-pressure colloidal slip-casting (HPCSC) method was used for nanopowders compactions, and preforms with green density up to 60% were obtained. Application of HPCSC compaction method reduces the requirements to starting nanopowders. Transparent YAG ceramics were obtained by sintering of compacts at 1700–1800 °C in vacuum. Laser action was achieved in plate ceramics samples with longitudinal pumping by semiconductor laser. Possibilities of improvement of laser output parameters are discussed.