O− centre formation in YAG crystals doped with rare earth ions

Colour changes of YAG crystals doped with rare earth ions and annealed in hydrogen, oxygen, vacuum or argon are described. The influence of UV irradiation is also given. Some crystals were further doped with Ca, Sr, Ba, or Cr, respectively. Yellow or brown colouring of the crystals is attributed to the O⁻ centre formation which causes an increase of the absorption peak at 395–410 nm. Most intensive colouring showed the crystals containing a combination of Yb or Eu with Nd or Cr after oxygen annealing followed by UV irradiation.     

Absorption spectra of molybdenum doped YAG crystals

Absorption spectra of molybdenum doped YAG crystals annealed in hydrogen, vacuum, oxygen and argon and exposed to an UV irradiation are given. Yellow or brown colour of the crystals is attributed to the O⁻ centre formation connected with the reduction of molybdenum ions to a lower valency state. Most intensive yellow colour was shown by crystals, the argon annealing of which was followed by a treatment in oxygen at rather low temperature (∼1000 °C) and by UV irradiation. Two types of O⁻ centres are suggested Blue colour of the samples annealed in argon is attributed to e⁻ centres.     

Colour centre in YAG: Cr3+ crystals

YAG crystals doped with 0.01 wt% Cr were grown by Czochralski method using 98% Ar + 2% H₂ protective atmosphere. Four colour varieties of the crystals were prepared in the dependence of the Al₂O₃ :Y₂O₃ ratio in the melt and the sign of electrical potential above the melt level. New absorption bands were attributed to the O⁻ centre (400 to 480 nm), F centre (357, 500, and 833 nm) or Cr³⁺ at another site than octahedral (455, and 612 nm).     

The role of iron ions in YAG and YAP

Spectroscopic properties of YAG and YAP doped with Fe were compared. YAG :Fe crystals grown under reducing atmosphere showed strong colouration whereas similar colouration in YAP :Fe was found after oxygen treatment. Nd³⁺ luminescence was effectively quenched by Fe ions in YAP, whereas Ce³⁺ luminescence was quenched by Fe ions in both the materials.     

Simulation of a defect region in KDP crystals doped with divalent iron ions. Comparison of defects induced by di-and trivalent metals

The crystal structure of Fe^II-doped KDP crystals was simulated with the use of specially developed partly covalent potentials. Different variants of introduction of impurity into the structure were analyzed. The M1 position was found to be more favorable for both isolated divalent and trivalent metal ions. Upon optimization, the coordinates of the Fe^II ion are (0.25, 0.44, 0.125). The Fe^II ions can aggregate to form “clusters” energetically more favorable than isolated defects. It seems that Fe^III ions cannot form aggregates.     

Formation of Z1 centers in KCI crystals doped with alkaline earth ions under X-irradiation

On the basis of systematic investigations of the shape of the absorption resulting from a superposition of F- and Z₁ bands it is shown that during X-irradiation at RT in KCI crystals doped with alkaline earth ions F centers and Z₁ centers are formed. After an incubation time the ratio of the corresponding concentrations is constant. This is related to a dynamic equilibrium between the F → Z₁ conversion and the destruction of Z₁ centers. A formation mechanism for Z₁ centers is proposed analogously to the well known mechanism for the M center formation under the influence of ionizing radiation.     

Growth, structure, and properties of KTiOPO4 crystals doped with iron

A series of iron-doped KTiOPO₄ (KTP: Fe) single crystals in which iron substitutes for 0.1–0.3% titanium was grown. The structure of the KTP: Fe crystals was determined, and their dielectric and conducting properties were studied. An X-ray diffraction analysis failed to reveal such asmall amount of Fe⁺³ ions in titanium octahedral positions of the structure. It was found that an increase in the iron concentration results in a lowering of the symmetry of Ti(1)O₆ and Ti(2)O₆ octahedra. The splitting of the dielectric anomaly due to the ferroelectric phase transition was explained by the mechanism of incorporation of an impurity into different growth pyramids of the crystals. It was established that the aging of the KTP: Fe crystals leads to changes in the permittivity and electrical conductivity during long storage.     

The absorption and circular dichroism spectra of langasite family crystals doped with chromium ions

The absorption and circular dichroism spectra of langasite family crystals, La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄, La₃Ga₅GeO₁₄, Ca₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄, Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ (red), Sr₃Ga₂Ge₄O₁₄ (green), La₃Ta_0.5Ga_5.5O₁₄, and La₃Nb_0.5Ga_5.5O₁₄, which were doped with chromium ions, have been investigated in the range of 240–850 nm. It is shown that chromium ions are incorporated into the structure of the investigated crystals both in the octahedrally (Cr³⁺ ion in 1a octahedron) and tetrahedrally (Cr⁴⁺ ion in 2d tetrahedron) coordinated positions. The ion ratio Cr³⁺/Cr⁴⁺ changes in a wide range in the crystals studied.     

Superstructures in cubic A<Superscript>II</Superscript>B<Superscript>VI</Superscript> crystals heavily doped with Ni and V ions

Specific features of the crystal structure of bulk sphalerite-type Zn_0.9Ni_0.1S, Zn_0.9V_0.1Se, and Zn_0.997Ni_0.003Te crystals have been investigated in detail by thermal-neutron diffraction at room temperature. Fine effects (indicative of the existence of distortion microdomains, nucleation of long- and short-wavelength modulations, and tendencies toward local lowering of the symmetry based on the initial cubic structure) can be observed in the obtained scattering patterns. Various states preceding the fcc ? hcp phase transition have been revealed in these crystals. They depend on the elemental composition and are formed upon the reaction of the initial lattice to perturbations induced by foreign ions with an incomplete 3d shell.     

Optical properties of pure and metal ions doped ammonium sulfate single crystals

A study of the optical properties of pure‐and some metal ions doped ammonium sulfate crystals (AS) were made. Optical constants of AS crystals were calculated at room temperature. The optical absorption coefficient (α ) was analyzed and interpreted to be in the allowed direct transition. The introduction of Rb⁺ or Cs⁺ ions gives rise to an intense charge transfer band with a maximum at λ= 310 nm in the optical spectrum. In case of Cr³⁺ ‐doping, the absorption shows a shoulder just before the onset band to band transition. The values of the allowed direct energy gap E_g for undoped and doped crystals were calculated. It was found that E_g values were decreased with metal ions doping. The refractive index, the extinction coefficient and both the real and imaginary parts of the dielectric permittivity were calculated as a function of photon energy. The validity of Cauchy‐Sellimeier equation was checked in the wavelength range 4.9 ‐ 5.6 eV and its parameters were calculated. Applying the Single‐Effective‐Oscillator model, the moments of ε (E ) could be estimated. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Nitrogen‐doped zirconia single crystals

The aim of this work is the preparation of nitrogen‐doped single crystals of cation‐stabilized zirconia. Thin plates of these crystals were nitrided in a graphite heated resistance furnace with nitrogen as reaction gas. Several dwell times and reaction temperatures were tested and their effect on the amount of incorporated nitrogen is investigated. During nitridation at high temperatures a rock salt‐type ‘ZrN’ layer grows on the surface, leading to the destruction of the crystal. In contrast to the fluorite‐type bulk material, which can be described as a fast anion conductor, the surface layer shows electronic conductivity. For possible applications of the bulk material (solid electrolyte) the formation of the surface layer must be avoided. Therefore, the interface between surface epilayer and bulk material was investigated in detail by electron microscopy methods. (© 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Growth of trivalent ions doped PbWO4 crystals and their scintillation properties

Undoped and series of trivalent ions(including La, Y, Gd and Tb) doped PWO crystals were grown from 5N raw materials by using Czochralski technique. Trivalent ions doping improved the transmittance, fast components of luminescence and radiation damage resistance for compensating structure defects. Corresponding, the fraction of light yield at shorter collecting time was increased. (© 2004 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Habit modification and improvement in properties of potassium hydrogen phthalate (KAP) crystals doped with metal ions

Potassium hydrogen phthalate (KAP) single crystals were grown by slow evaporation and slow cooling techniques. The growth procedure like temperature cooling rate, evaporation rate, solution pH, concentration of the solute, supersaturation ratio etc., has been varied to have optically transparent crystals. Efforts were made to dope the KAP crystals with rubidium, sodium and lithium ions. The dopant concentration has been varied from 0.01 to 10 mole percent. Good quality single crystals were grown with different concentrations of dopants in the mother phase. Depending on the concentration of the dopants and the solution pH value, there is modification of habit. Rubidium ions very much improve the growth on the prismatic faces. The transparency of the crystals is improved with rubidium and sodium doping. The role of the dopants on the non‐linear optical performance of KAP indicates better efficiency for doped crystals. The grown crystals were characterized with XRD, FT‐IR, chemical etching, Vickers microhardness and SHG measurements. The influence of the dopants on the optical, chemical, structural, mechanical and other properties of the KAP crystals was analysed. © 2006 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim     

Triglycine sulphate single crystals growing doped with copper and cobalt ions and study of their dielectric properties

Growing conditions for TGS single crystals doped with Cu or Co ions are given in a table. ε and tg δ values in growth pyramids depend on crystal growing temperature and the incorporated impurity: Cu²⁺ ions increase the temperature hysteresis of the dielectric permeabilty. Incorporation of Cu²⁺ and Co²⁺ ions considerably decreases the difference in the values ε at 25°C in crystals grown at different temperature.     

Microhardness studies of K1−xRbxCl crystals

The microhardness measurements have been made on pure crystals of KCl, RbCl and mixed crystals of K_1−xRb_xCl. Microhardness varies non-linearly with composition being maximum near at the eqimolar composition. Microhardness values calculated from lattice parameter data are in good agreement with experimental data. The difference in the size of the ion constituting the mixed system is responsible for the internal strains giving rise to imperfections and inturn responsible for the non-linear variation of microhardness with composition.     

Zn1−xCdx polytype single crystals with various degree of order

The results of X-ray investigations of the polytype structures formed in solid solutions of Zn_1–xCd_xSe are presented. For compositions of 0.22 < x < 0.35 polytypes 8H, 6H, 4H, and DS (disordered structure) are present. The Zn_1–xCd_xS single crystals of 0 ≦ x ≦ 0 were obtained by Bridgman's method under high protective argon pressure from the melt. The structures are characterised by FARKASZ -JAHNKE statistical parameters π(m,p), and by parameters P_LH of the polytype unit cell formation probability.     

Crystal growth of zirconium‐doped KTiOPO4 crystals in the K2O‐P2O5‐TiO2‐ZrF4 system

Zirconium‐doped KTiOPO₄ (KTP) crystals were grown using a high temperature flux method in the K₂O‐P₂O₅‐TiO₂‐ZrF₄ system. The dopant content in the single crystals with general composition KTi_1‐xZr_xOPO₄ (where x = 0 – 0.026) strongly depends on zirconium concentration in the homogeneous melts. AES‐ICP method and X‐ray fluorescence analysis were used to determine the composition of the obtained crystals. Phase analyses of the products were performed using the powder XRD. The structures of KTiOPO₄ containing different quantities of Zr were refined on the basis of single crystal XRD data. Applying ZrF₄ precursor for zirconium injection into the flux allowed growing the zirconium‐doped KTP crystals at 930–750°C. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Internal bias field in TGS crystals doped with different impurities

The influence of an internal bias field formed by impurity ions of heavy metals and alpha-alanine molecules on the dielectric nonlinearity and emission properties of ferroelectric triglycine sulfate crystals has been studied. It is shown that a role of defects increases near the phase transition, which manifests itself in a decrease in the maximum values of the effective permittivity and an increase in the emission current with increasing impurity concentration.     

Growth and properties of Ba‐doped KDP crystals

KDP crystals were rapidly grown from solution doped with different Ba²⁺ concentrations. The effects of Ba²⁺ on the growth rate, morphology and quality of KDP crystals were discussed. Significant changes in shapes and volume of the grown crystals have been observed. During the growth process, defect region expands gradually with the increasing Ba²⁺ concentration. Samples were cut from different parts of the as‐grown crystals for investigating the optical quality, including transmission spectrum, scattering centers. Through comparison, it is found that the nonuniform distribution of Ba²⁺ ions causes remarkable difference in optical quality between prismatic and pyramidal sectors. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)