Infrared Laser-Assisted Zone Refining of Inorganic Materials

Abstract

This paper presents purification and crystallization of inorganic materials by laser zone refining (LZR), i.e., floating zone melting assisted by a high power infrared laser. The LZR heating system was composed of a Nd: YAG laser as a heat source, an optical fiber for laser beam transmission, and a focusing system. To determine LZR purification capabilities, 5mm zinc rods were melted and Pb impurity segregation was observed after refining the zinc rods. For the crystallization test, green bodies of 0.2μm α-Al₂O₃ fine powder were fused, and optically transparent single crystals were obtained. The LZR technique was found to be useful in the refining of inorganic materials.