Transparent cobalt‐doped magnesium aluminate spinel (Co:MgAl2O4) ceramics with a submicrometer grain size were prepared by spark plasma sintering. For the first time, the nonlinear absorption of Co:MgAl2O4 transparent ceramics was experimentally demonstrated. Both ground state absorption (σGSA) and excited state absorption (σESA) were estimated using the solid‐state slow saturable absorber model based on absorption saturation measurements performed at 1.535 μm. σGSA and σESA for 0.03 at.% Co:MgAl2O4 were found to be 4.1 × 10−19 cm2 and 4.0 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. In the case of 0.06 at.% Co:MgAl2O4 ceramics, σGSA = 2.6 × 10−19 cm2 and σESA= 5.3 × 10−20 cm2 were determined.
International audienceA comparative study of damage accumulation in magnesium aluminate spinel (MgAl2O4) has been conducted using ionoluminescence (IL), cathodoluminescence (CL) and Rutherford Backscattering Spectrometry/channeling (RBS/C) techniques. MgAl2O4 single crystal and polycrystalline samples were irradiated with 320 keV Ar+ ions at fluencies ranging from 1 × 1012 to 2 × 1016 cm−2 in order to create various levels of radiation damage. RBS/C measurements provided quantitative data about damage concentration in the samples. These values were then compared to the luminescence measurements. The results obtained by IL and RBS/C methods demonstrate a two-step character of damage buildup process. The CL data analysis points to the three-step damage accumulation mechanism involving the first defect transformation at fluencies of about 1013 cm−2 and second at about 1015 cm−2. The rate of changes resulting from the formation of nonluminescent recombination centers is clearly nonlinear and cannot be described in terms of continuous accumulation of point defects. Both, IL and CL techniques, appear as new, complementary tools bringing new possibilities in the damage accumulation studies in single- and polycrystalline materials
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