Er:Yag Polycrystalline Ceramics: Use of SiO2 and B2O3 as Sintering Additives and its Effects on the Optical and Structural Properties

Abstract

The effects of SiO2 and B2O3 as sintering additives were investigated on the optical and structural properties of Er:YAG polycrystalline ceramics sintered without additional external pressure and in high vacuum. Best optical and structural properties were obtained doping the ceramics with 0.5% of SiO2 and 0.17 wt% of SiO2, and 0.33 wt% of B2O3 (B3+:Si4+ = 2.0) respectively, the former being the one with better results. On the other hand, it is shown that through the addition of B2O3 it is possible to reduce sintering temperature and to obtain good density values.