A simple model for the prediction of thermal conductivity in pure and doped insulating crystals

Abstract

We present a simplified approach to evaluate the thermal conductivity of insulating crystals, taking into account chemical and structural properties. We complete the thermal conductivity evaluation in the case of point defects encountered in luminescent materials. Thermal conductivity coefficients have been determined by photothermal experiments and are in good agreement with the predicted values in Yb:Y3Al5O12 and Yb:Gd3Ga5O12 solid-state lasers.

Structural, thermal and mechanical properties of transparent Yb:(Y0.97Zr0.03)2O3 ceramic

“…The reduction of thermal diffusivity is due to the irregularity of ceramic density caused by Yb doping. 18 With Yb concentration increasing, the specific heat of Yb:Y 2 O 3 transparent ceramic first decreases and then increases slightly. Because the heavier Yb 3+ ions (atomic weight: 173.1) substitute for Y 3+ ions (atomic weight: 88.9), the density of Yb:Y 2 O 3 transparent ceramics increases with Yb 3+ doping content (Fig.…”

47-fs diode-pumped Yb^3+:CaGdAlO_4 laser

“…Moreover, the thermal conductivity is not expected to drop with an increase of the doping concentration, as the difference in mass between gadolinium and ytterbium ions is only 10%. 8,9 Thus the thermal conductivity for an undoped sample is negligibly higher than for our 2 at. %-doped crystal.…”

Thermo-optic characterization of Yb:CaGdAlO_4 laser crystal

“…The other parameters are given elsewhere [27]. According to this formula, the substitution of Gd 3+ by Yb 3+ gives almost no change in the thermal conductivity (curve Gd100 in Fig.…”