Transparent polycrystalline garnets

Abstract

Transparent, polycrystalline garnet bodies having desirable properties for use as laser material, luminescent x-ray scintillator materials and other uses are produced by mixing a chloride source solution of the desired cations with a basic ammonium solution to produce a precipitate having a substantially uniform composition which can be further processed to provide the desired transparent body. This precipitate is separated from the solution, dried, thermally decomposed at a temperature in the range from 700.degree. to 1,000.degree. C., pressed to form a compact, isostatically pressed at up to 60,000 psi to provide a green, unsintered compact having a density in the vicinity of 55% of theoretic density. That green compact is then sintered in oxygen at a temperature between 1,400.degree. and 1,700.degree. C. to produce the desired transparent body. Alternatively, the compact may be sintered in oxygen at temperatures in the range from about 1,400.degree. to about 1,600.degree. C. to a closed pore stage and then hot isostatically pressed at high pressure to provide the desired transparent body.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.