Enabling new sensor applications for (V)HTRS by laser hybrid brazing of oxide ceramics

The use of (very) high temperature reactors ((V)HTRs) requires a sensor technology suitable to withstand thermal loads both in normal operation mode and under incident conditions which may appear during service. Especially ceramic sensors are ideal to suit this purpose. A special sensor type that is based upon oxide ceramics is the high temperature oxygen sensor. Base material for this application is yttria-doped zirconia. At elevated temperatures (above 450 C) the activation energy of oxygen ions is sufficient to migrate in the ZrO2 lattice following an oxygen partial pressure gradient. This diffusion process is facilitated by the trivalent yttrium ions which give rise to a high concentration of oxygen vacancies. The macroscopical effect of the migration of the oxygen ions can be detected as a Nernst voltage or, alternatively, as an electrical current. Thus it is possible to compare the oxygen content of measured media with that of a known reference gas. To be able to produce such sensors both efficiently and in the desired quality, joining technologies adapted to ceramics are necessary. Laser-based technologies for brazing with glass or glass-ceramic solders are especially suitable, as they combine high precision with high throughput. They thus enable cost efficient production processes both for large and small lot sizes. (orig.)