Synthesis and optical properties of the Pr3+/La3+ Co-doped Y2O3 based transparent ceramics

Pr³⁺/La³⁺ co-doped yttrium oxide (Pr_0.02Y_1.78La_0.2O₃) transparent ceramics were prepared by a two-step sintering method in a vacuum furnace. The X-ray diffraction patterns of (Pr_0.02Y_1.78La_0.2)O₃ transparent ceramics sintered at 1700 degC for 8 h were shown the pure cubic phase of Y₂O₃. The transparent (Pr_0.02Y_1.78inLa_0.2)O₃ ceramics sintered at 1700 degC for 12 h has a very high transmittance. The highest transmittance of (Pr_0.02Y_1.78La_0.2)O₃ ceramics of 0.58 mm in thickness is about 81% at 1200 nm, which reaches 99% of the theoretic transmittance value of Y₂O₃ crystals at this wavelength. The absorption bands near 470 nm, 600 nm, 1500 nm, 1900 nm and 2330 nm of (Pr_0.02Y_1.78La_0.2)O₃ transparent ceramics were due to the absorption transitions of Pr³⁺ ions.