Optical phonons öf terbium-, dysprosium-,and ytterbium-garnet

A comparison is made of the phonon spectra of several rare earth aluminum garnet crystals. The conclusion drawn is that the Raman Spectra with shifts >400 cm^?1 can be interpreted in terms of motions associated with AlO₄-tetrahedrons of symmetryS ₄. Phonon modes associated with the movements of the rare earth ions could also be assigned and the frequency dependence of these modes could be correlated to the apparent change in environment of the rare earth ions in the aluminum garnet crystals when the radii of the ions decrease.     

Time-resolved luminescent spectroscopy of YAG:Ce single crystal and single crystalline films

The peculiarities of the luminescence and energy transfer from YAG host to the emission centers formed by the Y_Al antisite defects and Ce³⁺ ions have been studied in YAG:Ce single crystals, grown from the melt by modified Bridgman method in Ar and CO₂ + H₂ atmospheres, and YAG:Ce single crystalline film, grown by liquid phase epitaxy method, using the comparative time-resolved luminescent spectroscopy under excitation by synchrotron radiation in the range of fundamental adsorption of this garnet.     

温度梯度法生长Nd:YAG激光晶体的核心分布

用温度梯度法生长了直径为75 mm大尺寸的Nd∶YAG激光晶体，通过退火排除了生长过程中进入晶体的碳原子. 用正交偏光显微镜观察了晶体的核心分布以及生长条纹. 测试了室温下的吸收谱并利用吸收谱研究了Nd离子在YAG晶体中的分布. 比较了温度梯度法与提拉法生长晶体的区别. 关键词： 材料 缺陷 温度梯度法 Nd∶YAG     

Investigating lanthanide dopant distributions in Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (YAG) using solid state paramagnetic NMR

This paper demonstrates the approach of using paramagnetic effects observed in NMR spectra to investigate the distribution of lanthanide dopant cations in YAG (yttrium aluminum garnet, Y₃Al₅O₁₂) optical materials, as a complimentary technique to optical spectroscopy and other standard methods of characterization. We investigate the effects of Ce³⁺, Nd³⁺, Yb³⁺, Tm³⁺, and Tm³⁺-Cr³⁺ on ²⁷Al and ⁸⁹Y NMR spectra. We note shifted resonances for both AlO₄ and AlO₆ sites. In some cases, multiple shifted peaks are observable, and some of these can be empirically assigned to dopant cations in known configurations to the observed nuclides. In many cases, AlO₆ peaks shifted by more than one magnetic neighbor can be detected. In general, we observe that the measured intensities of shifted resonances, when spinning sidebands are included, are consistent with predictions from models with dopant cations that are randomly distributed throughout the lattice. In at least one set of ²⁷Al spectra, we identify two sub-peaks possibly resulting from two paramagnetic cations with magnetically coupled spin states neighboring the observed nucleus. We identify systematic changes in the spectra related to known parameters describing the magnetic effects of lanthanide cations, such as larger shift distances when the expectation value of electron spins is greater. We lastly comment on the promise of this technique in future analyses of laser and other crystalline oxide materials.     

Raman spectra of α-GaTe single crystals

Raman-active lattice vibrational modes of GaTe have been investigated at 300°K in the frequency range 13–300 cm^-1. The spectra of the Bridgman grown crystals were excited with the 1.06 μm line of the continuously operated YAG : Nd³⁺ laser. Fourteen Raman bands were observed. All phonon modes have been assigned on the basis of their observed polarisation dependence to an irreducible representation of the appropriate point group. The results are consistent with the existence of GaTe in monoclinic α-polytype (C³_2h).     

Ce3+-doped crystalline garnet films – scintillation characterization using α-particle excitation

Scintillating properties of Ce³⁺-doped (Lu,Y) aluminum garnet single crystalline films (SCF) were investigated. Thin SCF films of thickness between 1 and 30 μm were grown by a liquid phase epitaxy (LPE) method in various fluxes. The α-particle excitation (mainly 5.4857 MeV line of ²⁴¹Am) of pulse height spectra is used to measure scintillation response of SCF, especially peak of those α-rays which are totally absorbed in the films. Detailed studies and evaluation of scintillation measurements of large sets of Ce³⁺-doped SCF (Lu,Y) aluminum garnets showed that at present time (i) YAG:Ce SCF have comparable scintillation properties as YAG:Ce single crystals, especially their N_phels photoelectron yields are the same while (ii) scintillation properties of LuAG:Ce SCF do not reach those of LuAG:Ce single crystal.     

Reflection and vibrational spectra of SbSCl0.1I0.9 crystals in the ferroelectric phase-transition region

SbSCl_0.1I_0.9 crystals were grown from the vapor phase and reflection spectra were recorded using a Fourier-transform IR spectrometer. The optical parameters and optical functions along the c axis were calculated using an improved Kramers–Kronig technique with two confining spectral limits. The reflection spectra were analyzed using the oscillator parameter fitting technique for comparison of results. The vibrational frequencies ω_L and ω_T were evaluated. The ferroelectric phase-transition temperature was estimated as 330 K for SbSCl_0.1I_0.9 from experimental reflection measurements and theoretical investigation of the potential energy of Sb atoms for B_1u soft normal modes of SbSI and SbSCl_0.1I_0.9 crystals.     

Size-effect on concentration quenching in Yb-doped Y3Al5O12 nano-crystals

Ytterbium-doped nano-crystalline powders of yttrium aluminium garnet Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (Yb³⁺-doped YAG) have been prepared by a modified Pechini method. The morphology of the annealed materials was observed using SEM images. The structure and the average crystalline grain sizes have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction measurements. An increase in elongated spherical crystalline grain sizes from 20 to 50 nm has been observed with annealing temperature increasing from 800 to 1200 °C. The Yb³⁺ concentration dependence of both luminescence spectra and lifetimes has been investigated and compared with those reported for the Yb³⁺-doped YAG bulk single crystals. Decays of Yb^{3+ 2}F_5/2 excited state, much longer in nano-crystalline powders than in bulk single crystals, are discussed in terms of refractive index dependence.     

Pulsed cathodoluminescence of yttrium-aluminum garnet in the visible spectral range

The spectra of the pulsed cathodoluminescence of yttrium-aluminum garnet (YAG) laser crystals activated with various impurities (YAG:Nd; YAG:Nd,Ce; YAG:Cr; YAG:Cr,Ce; YAG:Er; and YAG:Sm) are studied. The bands of the rare-earth ions in the visible spectral range are identified. Luminescence of Ce²⁺ ion is revealed in the YAG:Cr,Ce crystal. Original Text ? Astro, Ltd., 2006.     

Structural characterization of Lu0.7Y0.3AlO3 single crystal by Raman spectroscopy

Lutetium yttrium orthoaluminate perovskite [Lu_0.7Y_0.3AlO₃ (LuYAP)] crystals show great potential as fast response and high‐efficiency scintillators as an alternative to LuAlO₃ (LuAP) crystals. This paper aims to offer a complete analysis of the vibrational modes of the LuYAP crystal by means of polarized Raman spectroscopy in the temperature range of 20–290 K and confronting the experimental results with numerical methods in order to characterize the crystal structure. Furthermore, an interpretation of the data in terms of vibrating molecular structures is suggested and the results are successfully confronted with the vibrational modes of similar perovskite crystals. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Growth aspects,spectral, thermal and hardness studies of rare earth cerium(III)nitrate doped zinc(tris) thiourea sulphate single crystals

Single crystals of pure and cerium(III)nitrate doped zinc(tris) thiourea sulphate (ZTS) were grown from aqueous solution by slow evaporation method. The cell parameters of the grown crystals were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns were recorded and indexed for the structural confirmation. The presence of functional group in the compound has been confirmed by FTIR analysis. UV–vis absorption spectrum has been recorded to determine the cut-off wavelength of the crystal. TGA/DTA studies show thermal stability of the grown crystals. SEM-EDX analysis revealed the incorporation of the impurity (Ce³⁺) into ZTS crystals. The microhardness study reveals that the hardness number (H_v) increases with load for all the grown crystals of this work. From the values of work hardening coefficients, it was concluded that pure and cerium nitrate doped ZTS crystals belong to the category of soft materials. The second harmonic generation of cerium(III)nitrate doped ZTS crystals was confirmed by Kurtz–Perry powder method using Nd:YAG laser.     

Raman and Infrared Spectra of Crystals with the Cadmium Iodide Structure

Abstract

Raman and far infrared spectra (in the frequency range 20–360 cm^?1) have been recorded for polycrystalline samples of six crystals having the cadmium iodide layered structure. The four fundamental zone-center vibrational frequencies are assigned for CoBr₂, FeBr₂, MgBr₂, MnBr₂, CdI₂ and MgI₂. Values of the principal interlayer force constants are deduced from a simple linear chain dynamical model, and comparisons are made with recent results from spectroscopic studies of crystals with the related cadmium chloride structure.     

Optical and magneto-optical properties of nanostructured yttrium iron garnet

Bulk dense samples of nanostructured yttrium iron garnet Y₃Fe₅O₁₂ with crystallite sizes of 20–40 nm are prepared by high-pressure torsion from a garnet powder with micron grains. The absorption and Faraday rotation spectra in the IR range and the transverse Kerr effect spectra in the visible spectral range for these samples are measured. The absorption and magneto-optical effect spectra are in agreement with the corresponding spectra of single crystals. The appearance of additional absorption bands at 2 and 3 μm is associated with the violation of the stoichiometry of the nanogarnet and the possible contamination of the initial material. The specific Faraday rotation in the transparency window is approximately 1.5 times smaller than the corresponding quantity for single crystals. The extrema in the Kerr effect spectra coincide with those for single crystals, are smaller in magnitude, and are smeared. On the whole, the prepared bulk samples are transparent in the IR spectral range and exhibit optical and magneto-optical characteristics comparable to the corresponding parameters for single crystals. The high density of point defects of the nanogarnet is primarily due to the violation of the stoichiometry and the valence state of iron ions.     

Luminescent and scintillation properties of YAG:Dy and YAG:Dy,Ce single crystalline films

The paper is devoted to investigation of the luminescent properties of Dy³⁺ and Dy³⁺-Ce³⁺ doped single crystalline films (SCF) grown by LPE method from PbO–B₂O₃ flux. We have found that the YAG:Dy and YAG:Dy,Ce SCFs possess bright cathodoluminescence in the visible range and good scintillation figure of merit. For this reason LPE grown YAG:Dy and YAG:Dy,Ce SCF are proposed for different applications, namely, as cathodoluminescence screens or screens for microimaging. The Dy³⁺ co-doping can be also proposed for improvement of the scintillation efficiency of the Ce³⁺ doped garnet compounds in the SCF form due to Dy³⁺→ Ce³⁺ energy transfer and removing the trap related centers in the above RT range.     

The pressure response of Raman active phonon modes of Tm3Al5O12

Abstract

We present the Raman spectrum of Tm₃Al₅O₁₂ single crystal and its pressure dependence for hydrostatic pressure up to 11GPa and room temperature. Tm₃Al₅O₁₂ belongs to the crystal family of rare earth garnets (Re₃A1₂(AlO₄)₃, Re: Gd, Tb, Dy, Er,…), which crystallize in the body-centered cubic lattice and contains eight molecular units in the conventional unit cell, Group theory predicts 25 Raman active modes for these compounds, while experimentally are observed 15 modes. As crystal volume decreases all Raman peaks exhibit pressure coefficients varying from 0.7 to 5.6cm^?1/ GPa. A large part of the vibrational spectra of these compounds could be explained taking into account the vibrational properties of molecular subunits, namely AlO₄.     

Optical properties and laser performance of neodymium doped scheelites CaWO4 and NaGd(WO4)2

Nd-doped CaWO₄ (CWO) and NaGd(WO₄)₂ (NGWO) single crystals with good optical quality have been grown by the Czochralski technique. The neodymium distribution coefficient in these matrices is about 0.4 for CWO and close to unity for NGWO. Polarized absorption and emission spectra have been recorded at room temperature and used to calculate the absorption and stimulated emission cross-sections.1 and 2% Nd : CWO and 1 % Nd:NGWO laser rods have been tested in a cavity longitudinaly pumped by an 1 W AIGaAs laser diode and compared to Nd : YAG and Nd:YVO₄ rods in the same conditions. The 2% Nd: CWO rod exhibits the best performance with slope efficiencies of 64%, higher than in the case of YAG and equal to the YVO₄ samples. The dependence of the laser output power versus the diode temperature has been measured for all these materials. The laser output of Nd: CWO was found to be nearly as stable as for Nd : YVO₄ and much more stable than in the case of Nd : YAG. A CWO microchip has also been tested for the first time to our knowledge.     

Synthesis,growth and studies of undoped and sodium chloride-doped Zinc Tris-thiourea Sulphate (ZTS) single crystals

Single crystals of undoped (pure) and sodium chloride (NaCl)-doped Zinc Tris-thiourea Sulphate (ZTS) were grown from aqueous solutions by slow evaporation technique. Morphological alterations have been observed when NaCl is doped into ZTS crystals. Density of the grown crystals was measured by floatation method. The values of unit cell parameters from single crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD) studies show that pure and sodium chloride-doped ZTS crystals are in orthorhombic structure. Impurity concentration in the doped crystals was estimated by using an atomic absorption spectrometer. Second Harmonic Generation (SHG) test for the undoped and NaCl-doped ZTS crystals was performed by the powder technique of Kurtz and Perry using a pulsed Nd:YAG laser. Microhardness studies show that hardness number (H_v) increases with load for all the grown crystals of this work. From the values of work hardening coefficients, it is concluded that pure and sodium chloride-doped ZTS crystals belong to the category of soft materials. UV–vis–NIR spectra show that the grown crystals have wide optical transparency in the entire visible region. Birefringence studies of the grown samples have been performed by channelled spectrum method. The thermal stability of the materials is found to be increasing with the doping concentration of sodium chloride (NaCl) in the lattice of ZTS crystals.     

Raman scattering from GaSxSe1-x

The non resonant Raman scattering spectra of GaSe, GaS and of eight different mixed crystals GaS_xSe_1-x are presented. The frequencies of some vibrational modes shift continuosly from GaSe to GaS indicating that the mixed crystals are homogeneous. The discontinuous shift of some other modes is explained either by the change of the stacking of the layers, or by a ‘two mode’ behaviour as previously observed in other types of mixed crystals. Moreover, local vibrational modes are observed.     

Three-phonon stimulated Raman scattering in an orthorhombic LuAlO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystal

High-order stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) has been revealed in a LuAlO₃ crystal upon stationary picosecond laser excitation. All recorded Stokes and anti-Stokes χ⁽³⁾-nonlinear laser components are attributed to three SRS-promoting А _g vibrational modes of its octahedral anionic units (AlO₃)^–3.     

Optical absorption of copper metaborate CuB2O4

High-quality single crystals of copper metaborate CuB₂O₄ with a volume exceeding 1 cm³ are grown. The optical absorption spectra of these crystals are recorded for the first time owing to their sufficiently large size. The spectra exhibit a broad transmission window in the visible region and an intense absorption peak around ～2.0 eV, which is already split into two bands at room temperature. A weak anisotropy is revealed in unpolarized light upon light beam propagation along the a and c axes. The spectra are compared with the absorption spectrum of CuGeO₃.