CILAS Optical Ceramic

CILAS develops transparent ceramics that are usable as optical components. These top-quality materials, which have an excellent level of resistance and transparency, are fabricated using new synthesis techniques. CILAS optical ceramics are the fruit of research that has been conducted by the Limoges Ceramic Processes and Surface Treatment Sciences Laboratory (SPCTS), a Joint Research Unit federating the French National Centre for Scientific Research (CNRS) and the local university, for some ten years. The SPCTS has developed a process to fabricate transparent ceramics, known as “YAG” (due to the name of the components: Yttrium and Aluminium Garnet). The feasibility of this operation was proven in cooperation with the Solids Modelling, Properties and Structures laboratory at the prestigious Ecole Centrale in Paris. This transparent ceramic production activity is also the fruit of a partnership between CILAS, Rhodia Electronics & Catalysis and the European Centre of Ceramics within the framework of the Ceramoptic project. This project is backed by the French Minister for Industry, the Limousin region and the City of Limoges. Based in Limoges in the Ester Technopole, this activity leverages the synergies generated by local infrastructures and expertise in ceramics development.