Effect of (Ba_1-xLa_x)TiO₃ and (Pb_1-xLa_x)TiO₃ dopants in optical and dielectric properties of PMN-based transparent ceramics

A relaxor electroceramic 0.35Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-0.35(Pb1-1.5xLax)TiO₃-0.30-(Ba1-1.5xLax)TiO₃ (PMN-PLT-BLT) with x = 0.25, 0.50 and 0.75 was synthesized using the two combination methods of auto-combination and hot-pressing. Characterization of the crystal phase, microstructure, optical and dielectric properties of PMN-PLT-BLT was made primarily by X-ray diffraction and TEM and SEM methods. The pure perovskite crystals (rhombohedral and tetragonal) prepared at 850°C for 2 h calcination were revealed by using X-ray diffraction. The average optical transmittance of these electroceramics in the range between 450 nm and 900 nm is higher than 60% while in the IR region reached 100%. The PMN-PLT-BLT with x = 0.75 displays the highest transparency around 70% near 1100 nm. The microstructures and dielectric measurements show that these three electroceramics have densities of about 98.8% and exhibit a normal relaxation characteristic.