Sintering Process and Reduction in Scattering of Glaze-Based Rare-Earth Oxide Film

Abstract

This study investigates the physical and chemical processes for constructing a glaze-based erbium oxide film on an alumina plate. Furthermore, suitable sintering conditions and effective methods to reduce scattering through the film are investigated for TPV applications. As a result, it was showed that (1) CaEr₄(SiO₄)₃O was formed via the reaction sintering between Er₂O₃ particles and melted lime glaze, (2) a weight ratio of approximately 2:3 of the Er₂O₃ to the glaze and a sintering temperature above 1250°C were desirable, and (3) using large size (>10 μm) Er₂O₃ particles with high density and Er nitrate hydrate instead of the particles resulted in a reduced scattering efficiency of individual Er oxide particles within the glaze.