温度梯度法(temperature gradient technique,TGT)生长的Al2O3晶体因石墨发热体在高温时的挥发和原料中过渡性金属离子的存在,在不同部位呈现不同颜色,一般上部为浅红色,尾部为浅黄绿色.将TGT法生长的Al2O3晶体(Ф110×80mm^3)依次经过高温氧化气氛、高温还原气氛脱碳、去色退火实验,即“两步法”退火实验,晶体变成无色、透明.经测试,Al2O3晶体的完整性、光学透过率和光学均匀性均有显著提高.
A crystalline sapphire (Al2O3) boule (Ф10 × 80mm^3) grown by the temperature gradient technique (TGT) is a bit colored due to carbon volatilization from the graphite heater at high temperatures and the absorption of transitional metal inclusions in the raw material. The sapphire becomes colorless and transparent after decolorization and decarbonization in successive annealings in air and hydrogen at high temperatures. The quality, optical transmissivity,and homogeneity of the sapphire are remarkably improved.