Nanocrystalline compounds LiNb1−xTaxO3 of various compositions (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) were synthesized by high-energy ball milling of the initial materials (Li2CO3, Nb2O5, Ta2O5) and subsequent high-temperature annealing of the resulting powders. Data on the phase composition of the nanopowders were obtained by X-ray diffraction methods, and the dependence of the structural parameters of LiNb1−xTaxO3 compounds on the value of x was established. As a result of the experiments, the optimal parameters of the milling and annealing runs were determined, which made it possible to obtain single-phase compounds. The Raman scattering spectra of LiNb1−xTaxO3 compounds (x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1) have been investigated. Preliminary experiments have been carried out to study the temperature dependences of their electrical conductivity.

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Spatial changes of properties of Gd3Ga5O12 (GGG) single crystals caused by diffusion of cobalt ions during high-temperature annealing (1200 • C, 24 h) in Co3O4 powder are investigated. The registration of these changes was carried out by optical spectrophotometry, microscopy and micro-Raman scattering methods. Changes in structure of near-surface layers of the crystal were investigated by X-ray diffraction technique. It was shown that the additional absorption induced by annealing is related to intra-center optical transitions in Co 2+ ions, which occupy tetrahedral positions in the garnet structure at the distances of 250-500 µm from the crystal surface. The dependence of induced absorption with depth has got a non-monotonous character with a maximum at 400 µm. A comparison of the results obtained by different methods allows to suppose that the thermal treatment of GGG in the presence of cobalt ions leads to formation of the structurally and chemically non-uniform layer with a width about 500 µm.

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Spatial changes of optical and mechanical properties of doped lithium niobate (LN, LiNbO3) single crystals are investigated. The crystals are doped with copper ions by thermal diffusion at elevated temperatures. LiNbO3 crystal absorption spectra are recorded in a direction perpendicular to the direction of diffusion. The concentrations of copper ions are calculated using the Smakula–Dexter formula. To determine a relation between changes of optical and mechanical properties, the hardness profiles of the doped crystals are investigated by the nanoindentation technique. Young's modulus and hardness are specified in accordance with the Oliver–Pharr method.

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