Apparatus for Microwave Phosphor Synthesis

Abstract

An insulation package for microwave synthesis of phosphors includes an insulator and a susceptor configuration. The insulator has a cavity defined therein, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive a phosphor starting material. The susceptor configuration is positioned within the cavity, wherein the insulator, the cavity, and the susceptor configuration are substantially symmetrically disposed in relation to an axis of rotation of the insulation package. In a first embodiment, the susceptor configuration includes a plurality of susceptor rods. In an alternative embodiment, the susceptor configuration includes an inner tube and an outer tube, wherein granular susceptors are encased between the inner tube and the outer tube.

1 . An insulation package for microwave synthesis of phosphors comprising:
 an insulator having a cavity defined therein, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive a phosphor starting material; and   a susceptor configuration positioned within the cavity, wherein the insulator, the cavity, and the susceptor configuration are substantially symmetrically disposed in relation to an axis of rotation of the insulation package, wherein the susceptor configuration is comprised of a plurality of susceptor rods.   
     
     
         2 . The insulation package of  claim 1 , wherein the insulator is substantially cylindrical in shape. 
     
     
         3 . The insulation package of  claim 1 , wherein the insulator is comprised of material that is essentially transparent to microwaves in a working temperature range. 
     
     
         4 . The insulation package of  claim 3 , wherein the insulator is comprised of one of aluminosilicate fibers and alumina fibers. 
     
     
         5 . The insulation package of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of susceptor rods is substantially equidistant from an adjacent susceptor rod. 
     
     
         6 . The insulation package of  claim 1 , wherein each of the susceptor rods is comprised of granular susceptors encased in tubing. 
     
     
         7 . The insulation package of  claim 6 , wherein the granular susceptors are comprised of one of SiC, SiC—Al 2 O 3 , zirconia, MoSi 2 , and ferrite. 
     
     
         8 . The insulation package of  claim 6 , wherein the tubing is constructed of one of alumina, mullite, fused quartz, MgO, and ZrO 2 . 
     
     
         9 . The insulation package of  claim 1 , wherein the granular susceptors are comprised of one of SiC, SiC—Al 2 O 3 , zirconia, MoSi 2 , and ferrite. 
     
     
         10 . The insulation package of  claim 1 , wherein the inner tube and the outer tube are each constructed of one of alumina, mullite, fused quartz, and MgO, and ZrO 2 . 
     
     
         11 . The insulation package of  claim 1 , further comprising an opening adapted to receive a temperature measuring device. 
     
     
         12 . The insulation package of  claim 1 , wherein the cavity is adapted to receive a crucible. 
     
     
         13 . The insulation package of  claim 1 , wherein the phosphor is one of halophosphate, barium-magnesium aluminate, lanthanum phosphate, and europium doped yttrium oxide. 
     
     
         14 . An insulation package for microwave synthesis of phosphors comprising:
 an insulator having a cavity defined therein, wherein the cavity is adapted to receive a phosphor starting material; and   a susceptor configuration positioned within the cavity, wherein the insulator, the cavity, and the susceptor configuration are substantially symmetrically disposed in relation to an axis of rotation of the insulation package, wherein the susceptor configuration is comprised of an inner tube and an outer tube, and wherein granular susceptors are encased between the inner tube and the outer tube.