Highly transparent terbium gallium garnet crystal fabricated by the floating zone method for visible–infrared optical isolators

Highly transparent terbium gallium garnet (Tb₃Ga₅O₁₂; TGG) single crystal having a large Verdet constant based on the visible and near-infrared region (VIS–NIR) Faraday rotator was grown by Floating Zone (FZ) growth machine. We successfully grew TGG single-crystal rods of 8–10 mm in diameter, which was suitable for the use in optical devices. The crystal showed a full-width at half-maximum as little as 18 arcsec by the X-ray rocking curve measurement. The Faraday rotation (B = 0.55T) was investigated at wavelength of 532, 632.8, 1064 nm at room temperature. The lower weak absorption coefficient, higher Verdet constant, thermal conductivity and laser induced damage threshold (LIDT) compared to the commercial TGG gives the great potential of using this new method to meet the increasing demand of VIS–NIR Faraday rotators (FRs).     

Growth and Faraday rotation characteristics of Tb3−xNdxGa5O12 single crystal

Tb_3−xNd_xGa₅O₁₂ single crystal with dimension of Φ22 mm × 28 mm and a good optical quality was grown by the Czochralski method. X-ray powder diffraction was carried out and lattice parameters were calculated, which showed that the single crystal belongs to cubic crystal system. The transmission spectrum in the wavelength range of 450–1500 nm, which indicated the crystal has low absorption coefficient at 900–1450 nm. The Verdet constants of Tb_3−xNd_xGa₅O₁₂ at 532, 633 and 1064 nm wavelengths calculated by the extinction method are 225, 145 and 41 radm⁻¹ T⁻¹, respectively, which are larger than that of commercial TGG (Tb₃Ga₅O₁₂) reported. The magneto-optical figures of merit of the crystal calculated is 3162°/dB at 1064 nm, and the extinction ratio is larger than that of commercial TGG.     

Synthesis of Tb3Al5O12 (TAG) transparent ceramics for potential magneto-optical applications

Tb₃Al₅O₁₂ transparent ceramics have been prepared by solid state reaction and vacuum sintering. The optical quality and the microstructure of the samples were investigated. The sample sintered at 1650 °C possessed relatively good optical transparency from 400 nm to 1600 nm. The Verdet constant measured at 632.8 nm of the quasi-pore-free Tb₃Al₅O₁₂ transparent ceramic was −172.72 rad T⁻¹ m⁻¹, which was close to the counterpart of Tb₃Al₅O₁₂ single crystal. The thermal conductivity of the sample was also measured. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time that Tb₃Al₅O₁₂ transparent ceramic with relatively good optical quality and magneto-optical property has been reported.     

Crystal growth and characterization of Yb-doped Gd3Ga5O12

Single crystals of (Yb_xGd_1−x)₃Ga₅O₁₂ (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) have been grown by the micro-pulling-down method. Formation of continuous solid solutions with a garnet structure was confirmed. Composition dependence of the lattice constant, thermal diffusivity, specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity was investigated. Assignment of the Yb³⁺-energy levels in Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂-host lattice has been performed by using absorption, emission and Raman spectroscopy measurements at both, room temperature and at 12 K.     

Terbium-doped garnet single crystals as X-ray-sensitive phosphors

The spectra of luminescence induced by synchrotron radiation in the fundamental absorption range were measured at 10 and 300 K for Czochralski-grown bulk Y₃Al₅O₁₂ single crystals doped with Tb³⁺ ions and for (Tb,La,Gd)₃Ga₅O₁₂ single crystal films grown by liquid phase epitaxy from a PbO-B₂O₃ based supercooled solution melt on Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ substrates.     

Optical and scintillation properties of Nd-doped complex garnet

Nd 1% doped complex garnet scintillators were prepared by Furukawa and their optical and scintillation properties were investigated on a comparison with previously reported Nd-doped YAG. Chemical compositions of newly developed complex garnets were Lu₂Y₁Al₅O₁₂, Lu₂Y₁Ga₃Al₂O₁₂, Lu₂Gd₁Al₅O₁₂, Lu₂Gd₁Ga₃Al₂O₁₂, Gd₁Y₂Al₅O₁₂, Gd₁Y₂Ga₃Al₂O₁₂, and Gd₃Ga₃Al₂O₁₂. They all showed 50–80% transmittance from ultraviolet to near infrared wavelengths with several absorption bands due to Gd³⁺ or Nd³⁺ 4f–4f transition. In X-ray induced radioluminescence spectra, all samples exhibited intense lines at 310 nm due to Gd³⁺ or 400 nm due to Nd³⁺ depending on their chemical composition. Among them, the highest scintillation light yield was achieved by Lu₂Y₁Al₅O₁₂. Typical scintillation decay times of them resulted 1.5–3 μs. Thermally stimulated glow curve after 1 Gy exposure and X-ray induced afterglow were also investigated.     

Growth and Faraday rotation characteristics of TbVO4 crystals

TbVO₄ (TV) single crystals with dimensions of 18 × 18 × 16 mm³ were grown by Czochralski method under different atmosphere. XPS studies revealed the presence of V⁴⁺ and Tb⁴⁺ in TV crystal grown at 99.9% N₂ atmosphere, which caused a wide absorption peak centered at 950 nm in the transmission spectrum. TV crystal grown at 80% N₂ + 20% CO₂ mixed atmosphere has high transmittance at 600–1500 nm waveband. Faraday rotation spectra of TV crystal were measured. TV crystal has a larger Faraday rotation than terbium gallium garnet (TGG) crystal at 500–1500 nm waveband.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Gd2Zr2O7:Tb phosphors

This paper presents hydrothermal synthesis, characterization, and photoluminescence (PL) properties of novel green-emitting phosphors, Gd₂Zr₂O₇:Tb³⁺. Their crystal structure, morphology and photoluminescence properties were investigated by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and fluorescence spectrophotometer. The results revealed that one-dimensional Gd₂Zr₂O₇:Tb³⁺ nanorods with diameter of about 30 nm and length of 150-300 nm were formed, and the products exhibited a fluorite-type structure. PL study revealed that Gd₂Zr₂O₇:Tb³⁺ phosphors presented dominant green emission luminescence, which was attributed to the transitions from ⁵D₄ excited states to ⁷F_J (J = 3-6) ground states of Tb³⁺. The luminescence intensity of Gd₂Zr₂O₇:Tb³⁺ with different Tb³⁺ concentration was also investigated and reported, and an obvious concentration quenching was observed when Tb³⁺ ion concentration was 5 at.%.     

Photoluminescence of Rare-Earth-Doped Ca4Ga2S7

The photoluminescence of Ca₄Ga₂S₇crystals activated with Nd³⁺, Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, and Tb³⁺was investigated between 77 and 300 K. The spectra of all the crystals studied show an emission band at 543 nm, which is due to the Nd³⁺ G _7/2 I _9/2transition. There is efficient nonradiative energy transfer from Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, and Tb³⁺to Nd³⁺.     

Optical,thermal and microhardness studies on dichloridobis(1-ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyridinium-4-olate-κO) zinc(II)

A newly engineered host–guest hydrogen bonded metal–organic coordination compound, dichloridobis(1-ethyl-2,6-dimethylpyridinium-4-olate-κO)zinc(II) (EDMPZC), [C₁₈H₂₆Cl₂N₂O₂Zn] has been designed and synthesized. Single crystals of dimensions (5 × 5 × 2 mm³) have been grown by slow evaporation technique. The unit cell dimensions and morphology are identified from single crystal XRD analysis. Further, it has been characterized by FT-IR absorption, FT-NMR spectroscopy, elemental analyses (CHN and XRF) and their thermal stability investigated following TG/DTA and DSC techniques. The thermal transport properties, thermal effusivity (e), thermal diffusivity (α), thermal conductivity (K) and heat capacity (C_p) have been measured by the photopyroelectric technique at room temperature. The laser damage threshold of the grown crystal was measured using Q-switched Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm, 10 ns, 10 Hz). The mechanical stability of the crystal has been studied from the Vicker's microhardness measurement. The UV absorption edge is 262 nm with a wide optical transmittance window covering the UV–Vis–NIR region and the optical band gap of the compound is found to be 3.5 eV.     

Growth and characterization of Yb doped garnet crystals for scintillator application

Several concentration of Yb-doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ (Yb:LuAG) and Lu₃Ga₅O₁₂ (Yb:LGG) single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down method. The crystals were seeded-grown in the 1 1 1 direction and transparent and crack free crystals were obtained. Photoluminescence spectra and decay kinetics of these crystals were studied. Charge transfer luminescence of Yb³⁺ was observed in both crystals. Mean decay time of about 25 ns at 90 K and strong thermal quenching at room temperature was measured for Yb 5%:LuAG. Radioluminescence intensity was compared to the standard BGO sample.     

Growth and optical properties of (Yb3−xYx)Al5O12:Ce single crystals

To improve the infrared emission of Yb³⁺ ions doped in the garnet host Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG) single crystal through the energy transfer from Ce³⁺ to Yb³⁺ ions, the 〈1 1 1〉-oriented YAG:Ce³⁺, YAG:Yb³⁺, YAG:(Ce³⁺, Yb³⁺) and Yb₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺ (YbAG:Ce³⁺) single crystals were grown using the Czochralski Method, respectively. The excitation and emission spectra of these garnet single crystals were characterized. In YAG:Ce³⁺ crystal, the yellow emission of Ce³⁺ ions present, but it was completely extinguished in YAG:(Ce³⁺, Yb³⁺) crystal and YbAG:Ce³⁺ crystal. However, the characteristic absorption bands of Ce³⁺ still existed in the excitation spectrum of Yb³⁺ ions, which showed that the energy absorbed by Ce³⁺ ions can be transferred to Yb³⁺ ions for its infrared emission.     

A novel green emitting phosphor Ca1.5Y1.5Al3.5Si1.5O12:Tb

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation and emission properties of Tb³⁺ ion doped silico-aluminate phosphor Ca_1.5Y_1.5Al_3.5Si_1.5O₁₂:Tb³⁺ was studied. Upon excitation with vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and near UV light excitation, the phosphor showed strong green-emission peaked at 545 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺, and the highest PL intensity at 545 nm was found at a content of about 14 mol% Tb³⁺. The 4f–5d transition absorption of Tb³⁺ is in the range from 150 nm to 260 nm, and there is an energy transfer from the host to the rare earth ions. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images showed the particle size of the phosphor was less than 3 μm.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and photoluminescence properties of Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>:Tb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> phosphors

This article presents the synthesis and photoluminescence (PL) properties of Y₂Zr₂O₇:Tb³⁺. The Tb³⁺-doped Y₂Zr₂O₇ zirconates were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal process at 200 °C for 20 h. X-ray diffractometer (XRD) patterns revealed that all of the products were phase-pure with the fluorite structure. PL study showed that the Y₂Zr₂O₇:Tb³⁺ phosphors exhibited obvious PL emission peaks which located at 490, 545, 585, and 623 nm; the dominant emission located at 545 nm is assigned to ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition. Furthermore, Tb³⁺-doping concentration strongly affected the PL properties, and the quenching concentration is 5 at.%.     

Crystal growth and spectral properties of Pr:La2(WO4)3

Pr³⁺-doped La₂(WO₄)₃ single crystal with dimensions up to Ø 20 mm × 35 mm has been grown by the Czochralski method. The structure of the Pr³⁺:La₂(WO₄)₃ crystal was determined by the X-ray powder diffraction and the Pr³⁺ concentration in this crystal was determined. The absorption and fluorescence spectra of Pr³⁺:La₂(WO₄)₃ crystal were measured at room temperature, and the fluorescence lifetime of main emission multiplets were estimated from the recorded decay curves. The spectral properties related to laser performance of the crystal were evaluated.     

Luminescence characteristics of LuAG:Pr and YAG:Pr single crystalline films

Emission and excitation spectra and luminescence decay kinetics were studied for Pr³⁺-doped Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ and Y₃Al₅O₁₂ single crystalline films (SCF) grown by the liquid phase epitaxy method from a PbO-based flux. The influence of lead-induced centers on their scintillation characteristics was clarified. It was found that the influence of single Pb²⁺-based centers on the characteristics of Pr³⁺ centers due to the Pb²⁺ → Pr³⁺ energy transfer was weak. However, an overlap of the emission spectra of single and dimer lead-induced centers with the emission spectrum of Pr³⁺ ions, and especially a strong overlap of the 4f–5d₁ absorption band of Pr³⁺ ions with the slow emission of localized excitons in the 290 nm band had a considerable influence on the scintillation characteristics of the Pr³⁺-doped SCF.     

Photoluminescence properties of β-Ga2O3:Tb nanofibers prepared by electrospinning

One-dimensional Tb³⁺-doped β-Ga₂O₃ nanofibers were prepared by a simple and cost-effective electrospinning process. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman technique, and photoluminescence (PL) were used to characterize the electrospun nanofibers. FE-SEM results indicated that the diameters all of the nanofibers ranged from 100 to 300 nm, and the lengths of nanofibers reached up to several millimeters. The XRD and Raman results showed that the Ga₂O₃ phase belongs to the monoclinic phase. Under ultraviolet excitation, the β-Ga₂O₃:Tb³⁺ samples showed green emission with the strongest peak at 550 nm, corresponding to ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ ions. The luminescence intensity had been further studied as a function of the doping concentration of Tb³⁺ in the β-Ga₂O₃ samples.     

Visible quantum cutting via downconversion in a novel green-emitting K2Gd(WO4)(PO4):Tb phosphor

A novel phosphor K₂Gd(WO₄)(PO₄):Tb was prepared via a solid-state reaction. The crystal structure of K₂Gd(WO₄)(PO₄) as a new host matrix for luminescence was defined to be the orthorhombic system with space group Ibca (73). Visible quantum cutting under Tb³⁺ 4f⁸–4f⁷5d¹ excitation and host excitation in K₂Gd(WO₄)(PO₄):Tb³⁺ via a downconversion was identified. In order to rationalize the quantum cutting effect, the proper mechanism was proposed. According to calculations, the quantum efficiency was up to 183.2% and 176.4% under excitation at 235 nm and 150 nm, respectively. When compared with Zn₂SiO₄:Mn²⁺ (P1-G1S), KGWP:0.5Tb³⁺ is slightly less bright over 450–650 nm but has a shorter decay time.     

Shaped single crystal growth and scintillating application of Yb:(Gd,Lu)3(Ga,Al)5O12 solid solutions

Shaped single crystals of (Yb_0.05Lu_xGd_0.95−x)Ga₅O₁₂ (0.0x0.9) and Yb_0.15Gd_0.15Lu_2.7(Al_xGa_1−x)O₁₂ (0.0x1.0) were grown by the modified micro-pulling-down method. Continuous solid solutions with garnet structure and a linear compositional dependency of crystal lattice parameter in the system Yb:(Gd,Lu)₃(Ga,Al)₅O₁₂ are formed. Measured optical absorption spectra of the samples show 4f–4f transitions related to Gd³⁺ ion at 275 and 310 nm, and also an onset of charge transfer transitions from oxygen ligands to Gd³⁺ or Yb³⁺ cations below 240 nm. A complete absence of Yb³⁺ charge transfer luminescence under X-ray excitation in any of the investigated samples was explained by the overlapping of charge transfer absorption of Yb³⁺ by that of Gd³⁺ ions. For specific composition of Lu_1.5Gd_1.5Ga₅O₁₂ an intense defect––host lattice-related emission, which achieve of about 40% integrated intensity compared with Bi₄Ge₃O₁₂, was found.