Laser hearth melt processing of ceramic materials

Abstract

A new technique for synthesizing small batches of oxide-based ceramic and glass materials from high purity powders is described. The method uses continuous wave CO2 laser beam heating of material held on a water-cooled copper hearth. Contamination which would normally result during crucible melting is eliminated. Details of the technique are presented, and its operation and use are illustrated by results obtained in melting experiments with a-aluminum oxide, Y–Ba–Cu–O superconductor material, and the mixtures, Al2O3–SiO2, Bi2O3–B2O3, Bi2O3–CuO. Specimen masses were 0.05–1.5 g.