Accession Number:

AD1049062

Title:

Thermal Property Engineering: Exploiting the Properties of Ceramic Nanocomposites

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report,01 Jan 2015,31 Dec 2017

Corporate Author:

US Army Research Laboratory Aberdeen Proving Ground United States

Personal Author(s):

• Fleischman, Zackery
• Blair,Victoria
• Ku,Nicholas
• Merkle,Larry
• Moorehead,Carli
• Fry,Aubrey
• Kilczewski,Steven
• Harris,Donovan
• Pavlacka,Robert

Report Date:

2018-03-01

Pagination or Media Count:

40.0

Abstract:

We developed dual-phase ceramic nanocomposites, as opposed to single-phase ceramics, as a potential laser gain material that could incorporate the low-maximum phonon energy necessary for efficient mid-infrared laser output with the high thermal conductivity needed for effective thermal management at high operating powers. Our materials were comprised of an undoped majority species magnesium oxide and a rare-earth doped minority species erbium doped yttrium oxide. Nanocomposite powders were prepared using a novel co-precipitation method that allows for intimate mixing of the constituent species. The results of physical and optical characterization of the powders guided the synthesis parameters of subsequent batches toward optimal material conditions as defined by desired laser performance. Resultant powders went through various methods of densification followed by characterization to steer the parameters toward translucency.

Descriptors:

• thermal properties
• ceramic materials
• nanocomposites
• lasers
• oxides
• x ray diffraction
• Scanning Electron Microscopes
• Density
• Transmission Electron Microscopy
• Fluorescence
• powders
• sintering

Subject Categories:

• Thermodynamics
• Ceramics, Refractories and Glass
• Laminates and Composite Materials

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE