Transparent polycrystalline ceramics at visible and infrared wavelenghts

his thesis deals with preparation of transparent ceramic sheets made out of sub-µm alumina powder. Green bodies are prepared by ultraviolet (UV) curing of UV curable resin containing ceramic powder followed by debinding of organic parts at elevated temperature. High relative density of green bodies is essential for reduction of shrinkage during subsequent sintering process. Therefore high solids loading dispersions containing > 57 vol% ceramic particles are used. To reach transparent behaviour, porosity within the sheets must be reduced completely. Therefore hot isostatic pressing (HIP) is used as a final operation. Finally, light transmission and hardness measurements are presented. Possibilities of making high resolution microstructures using maskless lithography and some suggestions for use of the UV curing technique for production of complex-shaped 3D structures are briefly mentioned