YTTRIUM ALUMINUM GARNET POWDER AND PROCESSES FOR SYNTHESIZING SAME

A process of synthesizing a yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) powder. The process comprises introducing powders of yttria and silica to form a powder mixture, wherein alumina is not added to the powder mixture. Milling the powder mixture in the presence of an alumina grinding media and a solvent forms a powder slurry. Processing the powder slurry forms a green compact. Calcining the green compact at a temperature of from 1100° C. to 1650° C. for greater than 8 hours in air to 50% or less theoretical density forms a YAG compact of at least 92 wt % Y3Al5O12. Milling the YAG compact, without a grinding media, and drying produces the YAG powder. Processes further include introducing a dopant to the powder mixture to produce doped YAG powder.