Using an electron microprobe, Nd3+ ion diffusion across a boundary between Nddoped

and undoped ceramic yttrium aluminium garnet was measured and

characterized for various temperature ramps and holding-times and temperatures.

The results revealed significant Nd-ion diffusion; of the order of micrometres to

tens of micrometres, depending upon the sintering time and temperature. The data

were fitted well by a model which included bulk diffusion, grain-boundary

diffusion and grain growth. Grain-boundary diffusion predominated and grain

growth limited grain-boundary diffusion by reducing the total cross-sectional area

of the grain boundaries.

Neodymium Ion Diffusion During Sintering of Nd:YAG Transparent Ceramics.

J.P.Hollingsworth, J.D.Kuntz, T.F.Soules: Journal of Physics D, 2009, 42[5],

052001