Stopka
© 2025 Faculty of Space Technologies (Spacetech)
AGH University of Krakow
AGH University of Krakow
Transparent ceramics are among the most promising materials for next-generation optoelectronic and magneto-optical devices. Their unique combination of optical, mechanical and thermal properties makes them suitable for applications in demanding environments, including advanced laser systems and future space technologies.
At the Faculty of Space Technologies we are developing a new generation of transparent ceramic materials with enhanced performance. The project focuses on understanding how the structure and composition of these materials influence their optical and magnetic properties, paving the way for new technological applications.
The project coordinator is Prof. Andrzej Kruk.
The project investigates advanced ceramic materials with spinel and perovskite crystal structures, including yttrium oxide and calcium fluoride. These materials are valued for their high melting temperatures, chemical stability, broad optical transparency and the ability to be doped with rare-earth elements.
Introducing rare-earth ions into transparent ceramics gives the materials additional functional properties, such as multicolour luminescence, high photostability, efficient radiation detection and long-lasting light emission. However, many of the processes governing these properties are still not fully understood.
One of the key research areas is the interaction between light, magnetic fields and transparent ceramics. Particular attention is devoted to the Faraday effect, in which the polarization of light rotates when exposed to a magnetic field. This phenomenon is widely used in laser technologies, optical communication systems and devices protecting high-power lasers.
By understanding these mechanisms, researchers aim to develop materials with improved optical performance and greater resistance to extreme operating conditions.
The project combines materials science, physics and engineering. Researchers use advanced analytical techniques, including electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman and infrared spectroscopy, electrochemical measurements and optical characterization across a broad spectral range.
An innovative aspect of the project is the investigation of how transparent ceramics interact with high-frequency magnetic fields, together with the development of dedicated measurement systems for magneto-optical studies. These experiments will provide new insights into the crystal structure, defects and behaviour of advanced ceramic materials.
The knowledge gained during the project will support the development of transparent ceramics for demanding technological applications, including space exploration. Researchers will also investigate surface modifications that reduce the adhesion of lunar and planetary regolith, helping to improve the durability and performance of optical components operating in extraterrestrial environments.
The project will contribute to the development of a new generation of multifunctional transparent ceramics, opening new opportunities for optoelectronics, photonics and future space technologies.
Find out more: