Preparation of translucent YAG:Ce ceramics by reaction sintering

The paper presents preparation of YAG precursor powders mixture with ability for the reaction sintering at lower temperature. The powder mixture was mechanochemically processed and characterized for the specific surface area and crystallinity (XRD). Sintering experiments were performed on the batched powders, mechanochemically processed powders and as-synthesised YAG powders. XRD measurements and SEM/TEM studies were applied for characterization of the phase composition and development of YAG ceramics. Transmittance of the resultant ceramics was measured. It has been shown that YAG structure formed at 200 degrees C lower temperature in comparison to the reference specimen and contamination by the side phases (YAM, YAP) was limited. The best translucency was achieved for the reaction sintering of the mechanochemically processed powders.