Critical parameters to obtain Yb3+ doped Lu2O3 and ZnO transparent ceramics

Transparent ceramics of zinc oxide (ZnO) and 10% Yb3+ doped Lu2O3 (YLO) were fabricated by spark plasma sintering. The major sintering parameters to obtain transparent ceramics and their interdependency on each other are explained for cubic and non-cubic crystal structured transparent ceramics. Highly densified YLO and ZnO ceramics were obtained at 1250 °C and 850 °C, respectively. Postannealing of sintered YLO and ZnO ceramics at 1200 °C and 700 °C respectively removes discoloration and improves transparency. The 2 mm thick YLO ceramics prepared at 1700 °C with dwell time of 5 min and heating rate at 50 °C/min shows the maximum transmittance of 55% at a wavelength of 2 μm and the 2 mm thick ZnO transparent ceramics prepared at 1100 °C with dwell time of 20 min and heating rate of 10 °C/min shows maximum transmittance in the visible region with nearly 60% transmittance.