Synthesis and Spectral Properties of Nd3+ : Gd3Ga5O12 Nanopowder for Transparent Laser Ceramics

Nd3+ : Gd3Ga5O12(Nd:GGG) nanopowder for transparent laser ceramics was synthesized using sol-gel method. XRD, SEM, and fluorescence spectrum were used to study the properties of Nd3+ : Gd3Ga5O12 nanopowder. XRD patterns of samples show that it has a cubic structure. Meanwhile, pure Nd:GGG crystals were obtained at 1000 °C for 12 h. SEM photographs show that dispersed, uniform, ball-like Nd:GGG nanopowder is obtained. Both XRD and SEM results show that the crystallization degree and the grain size increase with the increase in calcining temperature. Analysis of fluorescence spectrum shows that fluorescence emission occurs at 1062.7 nm, which is the result of Nd3+(4F3/2→4I11/2) transition. Homogenous Nd:GGG nanopowder with a small grain size synthesized using the sol-gel method is favorable for sintering the transparent ceramic, which proves that the nanopowder obtained is suitable as a precursor for preparing GGG transparent ceramics.