Transparent Y2O3:Nd3+ ceramics produced from nanopowders by magnetic pulse compaction and sintering

Transparent Nd-doped cubic Y2O3 ceramics have been prepared by magnetic pulse compaction of nanopowders, followed by sintering. Analysis of the transport of nonequilibrium thermal phonons at liquid helium temperatures has been used to assess the effect of preparation conditions on the microstructure, average thickness, and stability of the grain boundaries in the ceramics. The average grain-boundary thickness in the transparent ceramics is shown to be comparable to the lattice parameter of Y2O3.