Effect of iso- and heterovalent additives on characteristics of highly transparent Nd(Yb):Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

The possibility of synthesis and characteristics of highly transparent Y₂O₃ ceramics doped with Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺ were studied. The ceramics crystal structure was disordered for the first time by simultaneously substituting Y³⁺ cations by Lu³⁺ or Sc³⁺ isovalent ions and Zr⁴⁺ heterovalent ions. The developed technique allowed synthesis of highly transparent Nd³⁺:Y₂O₃, Nd³⁺: Y₂O₃ + 6 mol % ZrO₂, Nd³⁺: (Lu_0.25Y_0.75)₂O₃ + 6 mol % ZrO₂, Nd³⁺:(Sc_0.25Y_0.75)₂O₃ + 6 mol % ZrO₂, and Yb³⁺:(Sc_0.25Y_0.75)₂O₃ + 6 mol % ZrO₂ ceramics with transmittance to 82.2%. It was shown that introduction of iso- and heterovalent additives Sc₂O₃, Lu₂O₃, and ZrO₂ into Nd³⁺:Y₂O₃ decreases average crystallite sizes to ∼1 μm and reduces the pore content, thus making it possible to produce pore-free ceramics. These additives broaden the spectral band of the ⁴ F _3/2 → ⁴ I _11/2 transition of the neodymium ion to 40 nm.     

Femtosecond laser written stress-induced Nd:Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> (Nd:YAG) channel waveguide laser

Single tracks and pairs of tracks were written into undoped and Nd-doped YAG crystals using a commercial femtosecond laser system delivering pulses with pulse duration of 140 fs and pulse energies up to 10 μJ. The pulses were focused by a 50× microscope objective below the surface of the crystals. Due to the elasto-optical effect, stress-induced birefringence was observed in domains surrounding the single tracks and between the pairs of tracks. Waveguiding was demonstrated in certain channels in these domains. To investigate the underlying guiding mechanism highly selective chemical etching of the modified material was performed with etching rates up to 5 μm/h. Pumped at 808 nm, laser operation at a wavelength of 1064 nm was achieved. The maximum output power was 25.5 mW at 261 mW of launched pump power with a slope efficiency of 23%.     

Luminescence properties of transparent ceramics Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>:Yb

We present the results of studying the luminescence properties of transparent ceramics Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Yb obtained by the vacuum sintering and nanocrystalline technology. In the course of research, we measured the luminescence and luminescence excitation spectra, as well as the temperature and kinetic behavior of luminescence. Our results are analyzed in comparison with the characteristics of corresponding single crystals. We revealed that processes of generation and relaxation of electronic excitations that occur in ceramics, in particular, in the charge transfer state, are similar to processes occurring in crystals. The behavior of two charge-transfer luminescence bands at 340 and 490 nm is studied. In the range 300–600 nm, we revealed a broad emission band of radiation of other type, which is also observed in spectra of undoped ceramics. This broad band is attributed to F⁺ centers. Emission and excitation spectra of charge transfer luminescence at a maximum of the temperature dependence of 100 K are measured for the first time. We found that, upon excitation in the charge transfer band, luminescence in ceramics is more intense than in single crystals with similar concentrations of Yb and has a higher quenching temperature.     

Absorption band of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> micro- and nanopowders induced by proton and electron bombardment

A comparative analysis of the structure, phase composition, morphology, and diffuse reflection spectra in the region of 0.2–2.5 μm is carried out. Their changes arising from the bombardment of microand nanopowders of yttrium oxide with 100-keV protons and 100-keV electrons is examined. It is found that the reflectance of the nanopowders in the near-IR (infrared) region is less than that of the micropowders and, upon electron bombardment, their radiation resistance is slightly larger as compared to the micropowders.     

Spectral properties of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in samples of transparent Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

The spectral and luminescent characteristics of samples of Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ ceramics obtained from different precursors under different preparation conditions (the concentration of an HfO₂ compacting additive, the temperature and time of synthesis) are studied at 300 and 77 K. It is shown that the spectral positions of absorption and luminescence lines of ceramics correspond to those of a Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ single crystal. At the same time, the absorption and luminescence spectra show an inhomogeneous broadening, characteristic of disordered crystals and glass. The energies of the ⁴ I _9/2 and ⁴ F _3/2 Stark states of the Nd³⁺ ion are calculated. The calculation results nearly coincide with the data from the literature for the Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ single crystal and transparent ceramics. Samples containing the compacting additive show additional lines, whose intensities correlate with its concentration and the method of preparation of Y₂O₃:Nd³⁺ ultradispersed powders. It is assumed that these lines are related to the fact that either Nd³⁺ ions enter the composition of the HfO₂ compacting additive or Hf⁴⁺ ions are present in the nearest environment of Nd³⁺ ions at the boundaries of granules enriched with HfO₂.     

Spectral characteristics of a Yb-doped Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramic laser

We report the experimental observation of random wavelength emission and intensity-dependent central-wavelength shift in a diode-pumped Yb³⁺-doped Y₂O₃ ceramic laser. We show experimentally that, like conventional lasers, the emission of the laser has fixed well-defined transverse modes; however, its instantaneous emission wavelengths change randomly with time. The central wavelength of the laser emission also shifts with the intracavity light intensity. A model was developed to describe the spectral behavior of Yb³⁺-doped lasers. We show that the observed random wavelength emission and central lasing wavelength shift of the laser could be well explained based on the strong reabsorption of light in the gain medium. PACS 42.55.Rz; 42.60.Mi; 42.55.Xi     

Diode-pumped passively mode-locked Nd:CaNb<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> laser

We have experimentally demonstrated a diode-pumped passively mode-locked Nd:CaNb₂O₆ laser for the first time to our best knowledge. With a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror (SESAM) as a passive mode locker, the laser generated stable mode-locked pulses with pulse duration of 17.3 ps and repetition rate of 88.4 MHz. With a singe-emitter laser diode pumping, the maximum average output power of the mode-locked laser was 0.843 W, with a slope efficiency of 23%. The experimental results show the Nd:CaNb₂O₆ crystal is a promising laser gain medium for picosecond pulse generation.     

Laser-quality oxide Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> ceramics. Comparative studies of its basic characteristics and laser ceramics of a known manufacturer

The effect of sintering aids of SiO₂, ZrO₂, B₂O₃, and MgO oxides on the optimum sintering temperature, ceramics grain growth, total volume of residual pores, and optical quality of obtained ceramics is studied. The best combinations of sintering aids are found; as a result, YAG:Nd (1 at%) samples of ceramics of high optical quality are obtained. An original method for characterizing laser properties of ceramics is developed. Comparative measurements of main laser characteristics of the obtained ceramics and ceramics of the Konoshima Chemical Corp. Ltd wellknown in the world practice, are performed.     

Evolution of the phase composition and physicomechanical properties of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript> + 4 mol % Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

The evolution of the phase composition and physicomechanical properties of ZrO₂ + 4 mol % Y₂O₃ ceramics subjected to hot isostatic pressing and subsequent calcining in air is investigated. It is found that hot isostatic pressing results in the formation of an easily transformed phase T_et with a degree of tetragonality c/a=1.035, which determines high fracture toughness. After calcining in air, the phase T_et decomposes to form a nontransformed phase T′ with a degree of tetragonality c/a=1.005, which determines low fracture toughness.     

Kinetic characteristics of subterahertz phonons in optically transparent Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> ceramics with twinning elements in their structure

The relationship between the kinetic characteristics of subterahertz thermal phonons and the structural features of grains and grain boundaries in optically transparent yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) ceramics is investigated. The effect of plastic deformation on the formation of the structure of cubic oxide ceramics is analyzed. It is shown that the main mechanism of plastic deformation responsible for the formation of natural crystallographic boundaries in samples is the twinning effect.     

Investigation of luminescence spectra of the Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript> and Y<Subscript>3</Subscript>Al<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>:Ce single-crystal films

The luminescence spectra of single-crystal films and bulk crystals of yttrium-aluminum garnet Y₃Al₅O₁₂ and Ce³⁺-activated Y₃Al₅O₁₂ were investigated. It was shown that the room-temperature luminescence intensity of the Ce³⁺-free single-crystal Y₃Al₅O₁₂ film was considerably lower than that of the bulk crystals, while the luminescence intensity of the Ce³⁺ ions in the Y₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce films was considerably higher than that one for the corresponding bulk crystal.     

Diode-pumped Yb:Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>SiO<Subscript>5</Subscript>-LiB<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> cyan laser at 501.7 nm

We describe the output performances of the 928 nm ⁴ F _3/2 → ⁴ I _9/2 transition in Nd:CLNGG under diode-laser pumping. An end-pumped Nd:CLNGG crystal yielded 1.3 W of continuous-wave output power for 17.8 W of absorbed pump power. The slope efficiency with respect to the absorbed pump power was 11.2%. Furthermore, with 17.8 W of diode pump power and the frequency-doubling crystal LiB₃O₅ (LBO), a maximum output power of 260 mW in the blue spectral range at 464 nm has been achieved. The blue output power stability over 4 h is better than 3.2%.     

Ground-state measurement of Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> by photoconductivity

1 at % Pr³⁺-doped Y₂O₃ single-crystal fibers were prepared using a laser-heated pedestal growth method. The emission and excitation spectra of the fibers were measured. The emissions of 4f-4f transitions from ¹ D ₂ to the ³ H ₄ and ³ H ₅ states are found at 620 and 720 nm, respectively. The ³ P ₂, ³ P ₁, ¹ I ₆, and ³ P ₀ 4f-4f absorptions are observed at 456, 472, 482, and 492 nm, respectively. A 4f-5d absorption band is detected at 288 nm. Photoconductivity measurements show that the 4f-5f transition of Pr³⁺ around 285 nm produces a direct photocurrent. Taking the onset of photocurrent to be at 320 nm, the ground state of Pr³⁺ is determined at 1.7 eV above the valence band of the host. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

High-temperature conductivity and structure of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>(WO<Subscript>4</Subscript>)<Subscript>3</Subscript> ceramics

The magnitude and character of conductivity were studied for Y₂(WO₄)₃ ceramics synthesized by the ceramic (from oxides) and organic-nitrate procedures. Investigation of the dependence \(\sigma \left( {{\alpha _{{o_2}}}} \right)\) and measurements of the ion transport numbers of charge carriers by the EMF method showed that Y₂(WO₄)₃ is basically an ion conductor. The conductivity is largely determined by the sample preparation conditions related to the dependence of the specific surface area and powder grain size on the synthetic procedure. The maximum high-temperature conductivity of Y₂(WO₄)₃ was 2.51 × 10^–4 S/cm, which roughly corresponds to the conductivities of Sc₂(WO₄)₃ and In₂(WO₄)₃ measured under the same conditions. It was confirmed that Y₂(WO₄)₃ crystallizes as a mixed monoclinic-orthorhombic structure at 1000°C. The character of water incorporation in hydrated Y₂(WO₄)₃ crystals was studied by thermogravimetry and diffuse reflectance IR spectroscopy. A qualitative model of water intercalation was suggested.     

Photolumiscent Properties of Nanorods and Nanoplates Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

Nanorods and nanoplates of Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ powders were synthesized through the thermal decomposition of the Y(OH)₃ precursors using a microwave-hydrothermal method in a very short reaction time. These powders were analyzed by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourrier transform Raman, as well as photoluminescence measurements. Based on these results, these materials presented nanoplates and nanorods morphologies. The broad emission band between 300 and 440 nm ascribed to the photoluminescence of Y₂O₃ matrix shifts as the procedure used in the microwave-hydrothermal assisted method changes in the Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ samples. The presence of Eu³⁺ and the hydrothermal treatment time are responsible for the band shifts in Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ powders, since in the pure Y₂O₃ matrix this behavior was not observed. Y₂O₃:Eu³⁺ powders also show the characteristic Eu³⁺ emission lines at 580, 591, 610, 651 and 695 nm, when excited at 393 nm. The most intense band at 610 nm is responsible for the Eu³⁺ red emission in these materials, and the Eu³⁺ lifetime for this transition presented a slight increase as the time used in the microwave-hydrothermal assisted method increases.     

Magnetodielectric coupling by exchange striction in Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>Cu<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript>

We have studied the magnetodielectric response of Y₂Cu₂O₅, the so-called blue phase in the Y₂O₃-CuO-BaO phase diagram. Based on symmetry principles, we predict and demonstrate magneto-dielectric coupling on a single crystal sample. We report an anomaly in the dielectric constant at the ordering temperature of the Cu spins. We probe the magnetic field-induced phase transitions between four different magnetic phases using magneto-capacitance measurements, demonstrating relatively strong magnetodielectric coupling. We observe an increase in dielectric constant in the spin-flip phase where there exists spontaneous magnetization. We construct a detailed magnetic phase diagram. The magnetodielectric coupling is analyzed in terms of striction induced by symmetric superexchange and optical phonon frequency shifts.     

Luminescence excitation in reactive molecular CO + O<Subscript>2</Subscript> collisions on the surface of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Eu

It is shown that the CO + O₂ → CO₂ catalytic reaction on the surface of Y₂O₃-Eu may lead to electronic excitation of Eu³⁺ luminescence centers due to the chemical energy release. The luminescence observed allows one to study the interaction between molecular particles of ultralow (thermal) energies with surface by optical methods.     

Passively Q-switched laser performance of a diode-pump mixed Nd:Lu<Subscript>0.15</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.85</Subscript>VO<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystal

A diode-pumped passively Q-switched Nd:Lu_0.15Y_0.85VO₄ laser with a GaAs output coupler is demonstrated. By using a mixed crystal Nd:Lu_0.15Y_0.85VO₄ as laser medium, the passively Q-switched laser can generate shorter pulse width with higher peak power in comparison with the passively Q-switched Nd:LuVO₄ or Nd:YVO₄ lasers under the same laser cavity. At the incident pump power 11.9 W, the minimum pulse width of 3.23 ns and the maximum peak power 1.67 kW can be obtained. The average output power and the pulse repetition rate of the laser are also measured. The experimental results show that the mixed crystal is a promising laser medium for shorter Q-switched pulse with higher peak power.     

Sensitizer-dependent up-conversion of Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript> in nanocrystalline Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Ho³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped Y₂O₃ nanocrystals were synthesized by firing hydroxy carbonate precursors. Yb³⁺-concentration-dependent up-conversion properties of Ho³⁺ in Y₂O₃ nanocrystals have been investigated. The relative intensity of up-converted red emission increases more quickly than that of the green and the near-infrared ones with the enhancement of the concentration of Yb³⁺. It is believed that the energy process ⁵ S ₂ (⁵F₄) (Ho) + ⁵ I ₇ (Ho) →⁵ I ₆ (Ho)+⁵ F ₅ (Ho) plays an important role in the population of the ⁵ F ₅ level of Ho³⁺. The result indicates that the intensity ratio of the green emission to the red one can be tuned by changing the sensitizer concentration. PACS 78.55.-m