Laser shocks on yttrium sesquioxide ceramics. Non stoichiometry phenomena

The thermal behaviour of yttrium sesquioxide ceramics under a CO2 laser in the air and under a YAG laser in ultra high vacuum conditions is followed by scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The stability of the C cubic phase of Y2O3 is discussed. Non stoichiometry defects are revealed by Raman spectroscopy using an infrared exciting wavelength.