Nd:YAG optical ceramics were studied by XRD, XPS and UV-vis spectrophotometry.
Nd:YAG formation occurs at 1350–1500 °C via interaction of Nd:YAP, Y:NdAP with Al2O3.
Features of entering of Nd3+, Si4+, Zr4+ ions into garnet structure were revealed.
Laser-quality 1–4 at.% Nd:YAG ceramics were produced by the reactive sintering.