Thermoluminescence and optical absorption studies of KBr crystals doped with ca2+

Thermoluminescence studies of KBr crystals doped with 0.5 mole % of Ca²⁺ both in the ‘as-grown’ state and after quenching them from various elevated temperatures indicate that the position of the glow peak which has been assigned to F-centers is found to depend upon the state of dispersion of impurity. Bleaching of the X-irradiated samples result in an additional peak and this has been attributed to Z₁-centers. Optical absorption measurements also confirm the formation of Z₁-centers in Ca²⁺ doped KBr crystals.     

Thermoluminescence and optical absorption studies in γ-irradiated KClxBr1–x mixed crystals

Thermoluminescence (TL) and optical absorption measurements have been carried in γ-irradiated KCl, KBr and various compositions of KCl_xBr_1–x mixed crystals as a function of irradiation time and composition. The position of the main glow peak (high temperature peak) and F-band position are found to vary non-linearly with composition, showing a correlation between colour centers and TL. The TL peaks have been analysed by numerical fitting and the trap depths and frequency factors have been calculated for different compositions of the mixed crystals. The thermal ionisation energy of F-centers has been calculated for the mixed crystals and it is found to vary non-linearly with composition. The results obtained in mixed crystals have been discussed in terms of high disorder present in them.     

Thermoluminescence of Sr1–xEuxF2 + x Solid Electrolytes

Thermoluminescence (TL) studies have been carried out in different compositions of Sr_1–xEuxF_{2 + x} mixed crystals as a function of X-irradiation time. Three groups of TL glow peaks in the temperature ranges (340, 360 ∼ 370 K), (460 ∼ 475, 540 ∼ 575 K) and (615 ∼ 635, 680 ∼ 720 K) are identified. The growth rates of different glow peaks have been compared with each other to estimate the growth kinetics. The three groups of TL glow peaks are attributed to thermal ionization of radiative impurity centers, different stages of F-centers and other kinds of defect centers such as F-interstitials. The shift in the glow peak maxima is perhaps due to unassociated impurities surrounding F-centers causing a change in configuration. The concentration quenching of TL output due to increased europium is pertinent in Sr_1–xEuxF_{2 + x} mixed system.     

Dependence of positron capture rate on dislocation density in solid solutions of KCl—KBr

Generally well-annealed alkali halide crystals exhibit three lifetime components. τ₁ arises due to annihilation with anion and τ₂ due to Bloch Ps. The origin of τ₃ is not well understood. Positron lifetime and etching techniques have been performed on solid solutions of KCl_100−xBr_x with mole % of x = 0.0, 15, 30, 37, 50, 70, and 100. The positron lifetime spectra have been analysed to resolve into three components. The positron capture rate K₃ for the longest lived component and the dislocation density shows a non-linear variation with composition. The positron capture rate varies linearly with the dislocation density of the samples. The origin of τ₃ is identified as due to positronium formation in the dislocations present in the samples. The trapping probability per dislocation has been estimated to be 2.2 × 10⁻¹²/s.     

Role of Impurity Precipitates on Microhardness of KBr:Ba2+ Crystals

Microhardness of KBr crystals doped with various concentration of Ba²⁺ have been investigated in the asgrown state and after quenching from various elevated temperatures. It is observed that hardness increases with increase in impurity concentration and at high concentration the hardness starts decreasing. Microstructural investigations have showed the formation of visible precipitates at high concentrations. The heat treatment studies showed that in crystals quenched from elevated temperatures the visible precipitates dissociate and hardness increases.     

Growth and luminescence of CsBr:Cu crystals

Special features of the incorporation of a copper impurity into CsBr crystals are studied for different types of impurities (metallic copper, CuO, and CuBr₂) and crystal-growth techniques (the Bridgman method or the method of isothermal evaporation from solution). The optical characteristics of these crystals (absorption, photoluminescence, and photostimulated-luminescence spectra) are investigated. The copper impurity is shown to enter CsBr:Cu_met crystals in the monovalent state Cu⁺ and CsBr:CuO and CsBr:CuBr₂ crystals in the divalent state Cu²⁺. It is found that the CsBr crystals doped with Cu⁺ and Cu²⁺ ions exhibit intense photostimulated luminescence and can be used as storage phosphors for visualization of X-ray images.     

Thermoluminescence studies in KBrxI1–x mixed crystals

Thermoluminescence (TL) studies have been carried out in KBr, KI, and in different compositions of KBr_xI_1–x mixed crystals as a function of X-irradiation time. The TL glow peaks have been analysed and the trap depths and frequency factors have been calculated for different compositions. The complex TL peaks observed in these crystals were isolated by using thermal cleaning technique. The various glow peaks observed in these crystals were attributed to native impurities, first stage and second stage colour centers and the results have been discussed.     

Isomorphous substitution and luminescence properties of haloapatites synthesized by the low-temperature method

Single-phase polycrystalline fluorapatites of the Ca_{10 − x} Me _x (PO₄)₆F₂:Eu³⁺ (Me = Pb, Mg) composition are obtained by deposition from aqueous solutions. The effect of modifier ions (Pb²⁺, Mg²⁺) with significantly different ionic radii on the structure and spectral luminescence properties of the fluorapatites are studied. It is established that Pb²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions affect the preferred location of Eu³⁺ ions in the structure of Ca_{10 − x} Me _x (PO₄)₆F₂ crystals.     

The effect of divalent impurity state on the microhardness of NaCl crystals

The microhardness and bulk density variations with annealing temperature have been measured in NaCl crystals doped with Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺, and Pb²⁺. Both characteristics are not affected by coherent metastable precipitation while incoherent precipitation produces either hardening or softening depending on the impurity phase type (stable or metastable). The results support the suggestion that aggregates and coherent precipitates are cut through by dislocations whereas incoherent precipitates are by-passed via the Orowan looping mechanism.     

Ionic conductivity of congruently melting Ca0.6Sr0.4F2 and Ca1 ? x ? ySryRxF2 + x (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd) single crystals with fluorite structure

Single crystals of congruently melting compositions of the Ca_0.6Sr_0.4F₂ and Ca_{1 − x − y} Sr _y R _x F_{2 + x} (R = La, Ce, Pr, Nd; x = 0.16–0.21; y = 0.07–0.16) solid solutions with fluorite structure have been grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method. Their electrical properties have been investigated in the range from 473 to 823 K, and it is shown that they are ionic conductors. For Ca_0.6Sr_0.4F₂ crystals, the ionic conductivity σ = 2 × 10⁻⁶ S/cm at 673 K, and the ion transport activation energy E _a = 1.1 eV. For Ca_0.77Sr_0.07La_0.16F_2.16, Ca_0.70Sr_0.11Ce_0.19F_2.19, Ca_0.65Sr_0.15Pr_0.20F_2.20, and Ca_0.58Sr_0.21Nd_0.21F_2.21 crystals, the values of σ lie in the range from 9 × 10⁻⁷ to 2 × 10⁻⁶ S/cm at 500 K, and the activation energy E _a is 0.88–0.93 eV. The concentration and mobility of ionic charge carriers in Ca_{1 − x − y} Sr _y R _x F_{2 + x} crystals have been calculated. Original Russian Text ? N.I. Sorokin, D.N. Karimov, E.A. Krivandina, Z.I. Zhmurova, O.N. Komar’kova, 2008, published in Kristallografiya, 2008, Vol. 53, No. 2, pp. 297–303.     

Defect structure and ionic conductivity of Ca1 ? xScxF2 + x (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) single crystals

Single crystals of the Ca_{1 − x} Sc _x F_{2 + x} (x = 0.106, 0.132, 0.156) solid solutions (CaF₂ structure type, space group Fm m) are investigated using X-ray diffraction. It is revealed that the crystals under investigation contain vacancies in the 8c positions and interstitial fluorine ions in the 48i positions. The coordination number of Sc³⁺ ions in the structure of the Ca_{1 −x} Sc _x F_{2 + x} solid solutions is equal to eight. The specific features of the concentration dependences of the ionic conductivity and the activation energy of ion transfer for the Ca_{1 − x} Sc _x F_{2 + x} (0.02 ≤ x ≤ 0.15) solid solutions are explained in the framework of the percolation model of conducting “defect regions.” The percolation threshold equal to 3–5 mol % ScF₃ corresponds to the model of [Ca_{14 − n} Sc _n F₆₈] octacubic clusters containing fluorine ions in the 48i positions. The ionic conductivity of the Ca_{1 − x} Sc _x F_{2 + x} solid solutions is analyzed in comparison with the change in this characteristic for the series of Ca_0.8 R _0.2F_2.2 crystals with rare-earth elements. Original Russian Text ? E.A. Sulyanova, V.N. Molchanov, N.I. Sorokin, D.N. Karimov, S.N. Sulyanov, B.P. Sobolev, 2009, published in Kristallografiya, 2009, Vol. 54, No. 4, pp. 612–622.     

Effect of Flux on thermoluminescence in Flux-grown BaFCl crystals

BaFCl crystals have been grown using BaF₂ and BaCl₂ by flux technique. Glow curves, optical absorption, and TL emission spectra of x/r — irradiated crystals are studied. The results have been compared with those BaFCl crystals grown from NaF flux so as to study the effects of flux on these properties. It is found that crystals grown from BaF₂ flux are relatively purer. An additional TL glow peak at 460 K, an optical absorption band at 775 nm and TL emission band at 485 nm have been obtained in the presently grown crystals. The additional glow peak, optical absorption band have been attributed to F(¯F) aggregate centers, whereas the 485 nm TL emission band to impurity centers.     

Spektrochemische Bestimmung von Silizium in AlxGa1–xAs und physikalische Eigenschaften der Kristalle

A direct spectrochemical method for the quantitative determination of silicon in Al_xGa_1–xAs (x ≈ 0,8) crystals was elaborated. The results of the analysis of highly doped samples (10¹⁹ … 10²⁰ cm⁻³) were discussed in connection with photoluminescence spectra and electrical measurements.     

Electroactive complex in thermally treated Ge-Si 〈Cu,Al〉 crystals

It is shown by Hall measurements that quenching complexly doped Ge_{1 − x} Si _x 〈Cu, Al〉 (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.20) crystals from 1050–1080 K leads to the formation of additional electroactive acceptor centers in them. The activation energy of these centers increases linearly with an increase in the silicon content in the crystal and is described by the relation E _k ^x = (52 + 320x) meV. Annealing these crystals at 550–570 K removes the additional acceptor levels. It is established that the most likely model for the additional electroactive centers is a pair composed of substituent copper and aluminum atoms (Cu _s Al _s ) or interstitial copper and substituent aluminum atoms (Cu _i Al _s ). It is shown that the generation of additional deep acceptor levels must be taken into account when using the method of precise doping of Ge_{1 − x} Si _x 〈Al〉 crystals with copper.     

Effect of some Me2+ impurity ions on the lattice parameter of KCI crystals

The effect of concentration of substitutional Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺, Ba²⁺ and Pb²⁺ ions on the lattice parameter of KCI crystals is examined. The amount of lattice contraction induced by the alcaline earths ions qualitatively correlates with the pertinent ionic radii values (relative unit cell contraction induced by one impurity dipole amounts to −0.905, −0.110 and −0.020 for Ca²⁺, Sr²⁺ and Ba²⁺ ions, respectively). The initial drop of lattice parameter observed at low Me²⁺ concentration is tentatively ascribed to the drop of dislocation density. In Pb²⁺ doped crystals except for the above initial drop, at higher dopant concentration no effect upon the lattice parameter is found.     

The role of hydration and complexing in the mechanism of impurity influence on crystal growth

The influence of impurities of chlorides and nitrates of divalent Ca²⁺ and Ba²⁺ cations on the kinetic growth of potassium dihydrophosphate KH₂PO₄ crystals at a saturation temperature of 323 K and relative supersaturation of 0.03 has been investigated experimentally. It is established that the impurity acts differently, depending on the face index, the impurity concentration, cation hydration, and the stability of the complexes formed in the solution by impurity salt ions. A model is proposed to explain the different influence of impurity ions on the growth of crystal faces. This influence is determined by the different hydration of cations and enhanced association of cations and anions of impurity salts in the surface layer with a lower dielectric constant.     

Theoretical and experimental study on the conoscopic interference in uniaxial crystal (Ca0.28Ba0.72)x(Sr0.60Ba0.40)1‐xNb2O6

Conoscopic interference of polarized light for the white‐light and LPS‐7,5Volts direct current semiconductor laser (Green light) with wavelength at 532 nm in (Ca_0.28Ba_0.72)_x(Sr_0.60Ba_0.40)_1‐xNb₂O₆ crystals were observed with the beams transmitting along optical‐axes and deflection optical‐axes from 0 to 140°. Endo‐exo variation from looseness to tightness of conoscopic interference patterns were analyzed in theory. A hyperbolic black cross of interference patterns were observed as well as its formation process was proposed in this paper. Also, the inferences of the birefringence with different Ca²⁺‐doped were obtained in this investigation. (© 2007 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Molecular beam epitaxy of Ca1−xRxF2+x (R=Nd, Er) layers: study of RHEED pattern and lattice mismatch

Ca_1−xNd_xF_2+x and Ca_1−xEr_xF_2+x layers were grown on CaF₂(1 1 1) substrates at 600 and 550°C, respectively, by molecular beam epitaxy. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) investigation revealed that Ca_1−xNd_xF_2+x layers have two types of surface structure, namely (1×1) and ( )R30⁰ with hexagonal symmetry, depending on Nd mole fraction, while Ca_1−xEr_xF_2+x layers have three types of surface structure, namely (1×1) and (2×2) with hexagonal symmetry, and a triple rotated domain structure based on a rectangular cell depending on Er mole fraction. The lattice mismatch of the epilayers and substrate, which is important for applications involving buffer layers, was measured by X-ray rocking curve (XRC) analysis.     

Glow Curves of Thermally Pretreated KCl:Mn2+ Crystals

Thermoluminescence studies of KCl crystals doped with 0.5 mole% of Manganese both in “as grown” state and after quenching them from various elevated temperatures indicate that the position of the glow peaks is found to depend upon the state of dispersion of impurity. In quenched crystals two additional peaks one around 130 and other around 215°C are observed. Dipoles near dislocations are suggested to be responsible for 130°C peak and 215°C peak to a complex formed by the associated of one or more Mn²⁺ ions with a single vacancy or an aggregate of vacancies, the complex being situation in the dislocation region.     

Growth and defect crystal structure of CdF2 and nonstoichiometric Cd1?xRxF2+x phases (R = rare earth and In). Part 3. Crystal structure of as-grown Cd0.90R0.10F2.10 (R = Sm-Lu, Y) single crystals

The structures of as-grown Cd_0.90 R _0.10F_2.10 (R = Sm-Lu and Y) crystals are determined and related to the CaF₂ structure type. It is assumed that in all the crystals R ³⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions form clusters with the tetrahedral configuration of the [Cd₂ R ₂F₂₆] and [CdR ₃F₂₆] cations. The concentration of [Cd₂ R ₂F₂₆] cations in crystals with R = Er-Lu and Y is considerably higher that in crystals with R = Sm-Ho. The tendency to a decrease in the coordination number of R ³⁺ toward the end of the rare earth series manifests itself in the fact that the Yb³⁺ ions in Cd_0.90Yb_0.10F_2.10 occupy both tetrahedral (c.n. 10) and octahedral (c.n. 8) clusters. The Yb³⁺ ions in tetrahedral clusters are displaced from their basic positions by 0.15 Å along the 〈100〉 directions. In Cd_1−x R _x F_2+x the relaxation of the anion sublattice of the fluorite matrix around clusters is much more pronounced than in the Ca_1−x R _x F_2+x phases having similar geometry. __________ Translated from Kristallografiya, Vol. 50, No. 2, 2005, pp. 235–248. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2005 by Sul’yanova, Shcherbakov, Molchanov, Simonov, Sobolev.