Fabrication and properties of transparent Nd-doped BaF2 ceramics

Nd:BaF₂ nanoparticles have been prepared via co-precipitation and a pumping filtration wash method. The phase composition and morphology of the synthesized nanoparticles were investigated by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM) analyses, respectively. SEM observations revealed the powder's particle size to be approximately 100-200 nm after calcination at 600°C for 5 hours in Ar. The transparent Nd:BaF₂ ceramics were then fabricated by the one-step vacuum sintering method at a temperature of 1200°C for 10 hours. SEM observations of the polished and thermally etched cross sections of the sintered ceramic revealed a highly homogenous microstructure with average grain size of 420 μm. Optical property characterization revealed that the transmittance of the ceramic reaches a maximum of ~70% in the infrared wavelength range, and an emission peak located at 1058 nm, excited by 808 nm light.