Spectroscopic and structural properties of MgAl2O4:Nd3+ nanopowders and ceramics

Abstract : The structural and spectroscopic properties of MgAl2O4:1%Nd3+ spinel nanocrystals and ceramics were measured and analyzed. Ceramics were prepared from the above mentioned spinel nanocrystals and undoped commercial spinel powder, using the spark plasma sintering (SPS) method. Properties of the obtained ceramics strongly depended on the SPS conditions. The samples were not homogeneous and possessed defects and pores. The most transparent ceramics had 60% transparency at 1000 nm.