Yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG, Y3Al5O12) transparent ceramics have attracted much attention since it can replace single crystals as host materials in solid state heat capacity lasers. These polycrystalline ceramics present improved mechanical and spectroscopic properties, as well as a better heat conductivity, lower fabrication costs for larger size materials. Furthermore, it is possible to reach higher doping concentrations as well a uniform distribution. Doping YAG with Erbium (Er:YAG) allows eye-safe emission at 1645nm. Moreover, a low doping rate (0.5%at.) enables upconversion process during laser operation. Conditions for transparency are amongst others, the absence of defects, a high purity (>99.9%), an homogeneous grain size as well as a high density (>99.9%).Transparent polycrystalline ceramics can be obtained by powder metallurgy route. Powders, synthesized by chemical reactions such as sol-gel process, co-precipitation or hydrothermal methods, present some advantages like high purity, homogeneity and nano-sized particles compared to those obtained by solid-state reactions. A recent process called Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) is presented to be a promising technique for the densification of nanostructured materials. Indeed, high current and pressure allow sintering at lower temperatures in shorter sintering time than in regular processes. Besides, rapid heating enables to limit excessive grain growth.In this study, Er:YAG nanopowders have been synthesized by co-precipitation using nitrates as precursors and ammonium hydrogen carbonate as precipitant. The influence of precipitation parameters such as pH, concentration, aging time, or even calcination temperature, has been studied. Er:YAG nanoparticles, with an average grain size of 30nm have been successfully synthesized. The reaction mechanisms have been investigated using different techniques such as infrared spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, thermal analyses… The YAG phase is formed around 1050°C passing through an intermediate phase called YAP (Yttrium Aluminium Perovskite, YAlO3) at 900°C.Synthesized and commercial powders have been sintered to transparency using SPS device. Optimisation of the sintering conditions (temperature, load, heating rate, dwell time) have been realized using commercial powder. Transparent polycrystalline ceramic specimens with a 30mm diameter and 3mm thickness have been successfully obtained. A scale-up study enabled to produce samples with a diameter up to 60mm and also with 6mm thickness
