Site-selective laser spectroscopy of Nd^3+ ions in 08CaSiO_3-02Ca_3(PO_4)_2 biocompatible eutectic glass-ceramics

Abstract

In this work we report the influence of the crystallization stage of the host matrix on the spectroscopic properties of Nd3+ ions in biocompatible glass-ceramic eutectic rods of composition 0.8CaSiO3-0.2Ca3(PO4)2 doped with 1 and 2 wt% of Nd2O3. The samples were obtained by the laser floating zone technique at different growth rates between 50 and 500 mm/h. The microstructural analysis shows that a growth rate increase or a rod diameter decrease leads the system to a structural arrangement from three (two crystalline and one amorphous) to two phases (one crystalline and one amorphous). Electron backscattering diffraction analysis shows the presence of Ca2SiO4 and apatite-like crystalline phases. Site-selective laser spectroscopy in the (4)I(9/2)→(4)F(3/2)/(4)F(5/2) transitions confirms that Nd(3+) ions are incorporated in crystalline and amorphous phases in these glass-ceramic samples. In particular, the presence of Ca(2)SiO(4) crystalline phase in the samples grown at low rates, which has an excellent in vitro bioactivity, can be unambiguously identified from the excitation spectra and lifetime measurements of the (4)F(3/2) state of Nd(3+) ions.

Laser Machining and In Vitro Assessment of Wollastonite-Tricalcium Phosphate Eutectic Glasses and Glass-Ceramics

“…A thorough explanation of the microstructure can be found in previous works [21,22]. In summary, the fibres (clear contrast) contained Si, P and Ca, whereas the matrix (dark contrast) was rich in Si and Ca, with low content of P. EDX analyses carried out in this sample confirmed these results, Table 3.…”

“…Since the development of Bioeutectic ® ceramic by De Aza et al in 1997 [11], bioactivity and biocompatibility, both in vitro and in vivo, as well as the optical properties of this binary eutectic composite, have been widely studied [14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25]. …”

Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Monitoring the Formation of Hydroxyapatite Porous Layers

“…In particular, the CaSiO 3 /Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 eutectic composite shows remarkable optical properties. Its spectroscopic properties can be used as optical probes for biomedical applications [17,18,19]. Additionally, optical waveguides inscribed in this eutectic glass by means of the ultrafast laser inscription technique suggested a great potential for being used as integrated photonic devices, optical amplifiers, and laser sources [20,21].…”

Ultrafast direct laser writing of cladding waveguides in the 0.8CaSiO3-0.2Ca3(PO4)2 eutectic glass doped with Nd3+ ions

“…23 Furthermore, it has been shown that its spectroscopic properties could be used as optical probe for biomedical applications. 24,25 II. EXPERIMENTAL…”