Abstract: Transparent ceramics is one of the most important materials with combined properties of structural and functional ceramics. The development of transparent ceramics is based on the research and development of nano sciences and technology, and of advanced ceramic processing sciences and technology. It will be the key materials for national economic development and defense necessary with high technology needed. At the same time, the process of ceramics from traditional opaque to translucent and to transparent will refer to many basic science issues, especially, the relationship between microstructure (including pores, grain boundary, grain size, morphology and so on) and photophysical properties of materials is still not clear. Therefore, as one of the main developing field of inorganic materials, the development of transparent ceramics needs joint efforts from chemistry, physics, laser, and material scientists together. The current advance of transparent ceramics is reviewed in this paper.

Key words: transparent ceramics, microstructure, optical physics, nanopowder, processing sciences