Nd:Y3ScxAl5-xO12 (x= 0.05, 0.5, 1) shaped crystals grown by the micro-pulling-down method and optical properties

Abstract

Nd 3+ doped Y 3 Sc x Al 5-x O 12 (x= 0.05, 0.5, 1) single crystals were successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) technique. The effect of compositional parameter x on the structure, absorption, emission and fluorescence lifetime of Nd:Y 3 Sc x Al 5-x O 12 crystals was studied. The Nd 3+ concentration in the core increased with increasing of compositional parameter x. The full width at half maximum (FWHM) of the emission band centered at 1064 nm was calculated to be 6.1, 7.1, and 7.3 nm for x= 0.05, 0.5 and 1, respectively. The fluorescence lifetime of 4 F 3/2 levels are 259.3, 269.6, and 276.9 μs for x= 0.05, 0.5, and 1, respectively. The results indicate that the Nd:Y 3 Sc x Al 5-x O 12 crystals are promising materials for laser output.

Fabrication and optical properties of garnet ceramics based on Y3−xScxAl5O12 doped with ytterbium and erbium

“…Single crystals and optical ceramics based on scandiumcontaining solid solutions with a garnet structure are promising for laser technology and constitute a distinct class of optical materials. 19,20,[22][23][24][25][26] The Sc 3+ cations present in the crystal structure cause disorder, resulting in inhomogeneously broadened absorption and emission spectra. Optimization of the chemical composition can enhance the overlap of the Yb 3+ and Er 3+ absorption bands, leading to better energy transfer processes between the cations.…”

“…The properties of scandium-containing garnets, where scandium cations preferentially occupy the octahedral position, are actively researched. 19,20,[22][23][24][25][26] In single crystals, the octahedral position can contain Sc 3+ cations up to 100 at% 19,23,28 without destabilization of the crystal lattice.…”