Anisotropy in laser performance of Yb:GdCa4O(BO3)3 crystal

We report distinct laser performance of Yb:GdCa(4)O(BO(3))(3) crystals cut along different principal optical axes using an unpolarized diode pump. The continuous-wave (cw) laser oscillation generated with y-cut crystal is polarized either with E parallel x or with E parallel z depending on the output coupling (T) utilized; a specific T=3% leads to a special situation in which the two orthogonal polarization states coexist oscillating at different wavelengths. The laser oscillation achieved with x- and z-cut crystals is also polarized, but with a fixed polarization of E parallel z and E parallel x, respectively. The most efficient laser operation is obtained with the y-cut crystal, generating a cw output power of 7.35 W at 1083-1085 nm with an optical-to-optical efficiency of 63%, the slope efficiency being as high as 84%.     

Nd:Gd_xY_(1-x)Ca_4O(BO_3)_3晶体的生长及其光谱性能研究

利用熔体提拉法生长了大尺寸,高质量的新型激光自信频晶体Ｎｄ：ＧｄｘＹ１－ｘＣａ４Ｏ（ＢＯ３）３简称Ｎｄ：ＧｄＹＣＯＢ）．对Ｎｄ：ＧｄＹＣＯＢ晶体的ＸＲＤ衍射图进行指标化,得到它的晶胞参数为α＝８．０８０Ａ; ｂ＝１６．０１６Ａ; ｃ＝３．５３８Ａ; β＝１０１．１８°;μ＝４９１．１Ａ３．对取自不同部位的晶体粉末进行ＩＣＰ原子发射光谱分析表明晶体整体组份均匀一致,根据熔体和晶体粉末的ＩＣＰ数据计算,Ｎｄ：ＧｄＹＣＯＢ晶体中Ｎｄ３＋的分凝系数为０．６３．首次报道了 Ｎｄ：ＧｄＹＣＯＢ晶体２００～３０００ｎｍ室温透过光谱和室温荧光光谱及荧光寿命．室温透过光谱表明Ｎｄ：ＧｄＹＣＯＢ晶体的紫外吸收边在～２２０ｎｍ,具有很宽的透光波段（～２２０～２７００ｎｍ）; Ｎｄ：ＧｄＹＣＯＢ晶体在８００ｎｍ附近存在很强的吸收,适合于ＬＤ泵浦．荧光光谱表明Ｎｄ：ＧｄＹＣＯＢ晶体是一种很有潜力的ＲＧＢ（ｒｅｄ;ｇｒｅｅｎ, ｂｌｕｅ）激光自信频晶体．掺杂 ４％、 ５％ Ｎｄ：ＧｄＹＣＯＢ晶体的荧光寿命分别为 １０５μｓ和１００μｓ．     

Structure, growth, and optical properties of TbAl3(BO3)4 single crystal

TbAl(3)(BO(3))(4) single crystal was grown from a K(2)Mo(3)O(10)-B(2)O(3) system using the top-seeded high temperature solution method (TSSG), 20 mm×9 mm×7 mm in size. The grown crystal was characterized by x-ray diffraction analysis showing that the crystal has a trigonal structure and the space group is R32 with lattice parameters of a = b = 9.293(13) ?, c = 7.249(6) ?. Faraday rotations of TbAl(3)(BO(3))(4) crystal were investigated at room temperature at wavelengths of 532, 633, and 1064 nm. Finally, the Verdet constants were measured at V = -108.8, -85.7, and -20.8 rad/mT for 532, 633, and 1064 nm, respectively.     

The sol-gel process synthesis of GdAl3(BO3)4:Eu3+ nanophosphors

GdAl3(BO3)4:Eu3+ red phosphors were prepared using citric acid as complex agent by sol-gel technique. The preparation conditions of the precursor synthesis, including crystallization temperature and crystallization time were investigated. Their structure and luminescence properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and fluorescence spectrometry. The results showed that GdAl3(BO3)4:Eu3+ phosphor crystallized at 960 degrees C for 2 h have been synthesized by sol-gel method. The phosphor is distributed into hexagonal system and the lattice parameters are a = 9.2992 nm c = 7.2577 nm. The excitation spectrum of Gd(0.95)Al3(BO3)4:Eu(0.05)3+ samples is complex and the frequency scale is wide. It consists of a number of main excitation transitions namely 8S(7/2) --> 6IJ (270 nm) of Gd3+, and the others 7F0 --> 5L6 (400 nm), 7F0 --> 5D2 (472 nm) and 7F0 --> 5D1 (542 nm) of Eu3+. The main emission peaks are 614 nm and 619 nm, which are the characteristic emission peaks of Eu3+. These emission peaks correspond to the transition from 5D0 to 7F2 of Eu3+. The shape and the wavelength range of the emission spectrum are similar when the sample was excited by different excitation spectrum. Only the relative intensity of the emission peaks is different from each other.     

Tunable coherent infrared generation near 2.5 microm from self-difference frequency mixing in YAl3(BO3)4:Nd3+

Idler generation from self-difference frequency mixing of the pump wave near 750 nm and the 1062-nm Nd3+ laser emission in the bifunctional laser and nonlinear optical YAl3(BO3)4:Nd3+ crystal was shown. The efficiency was 0.37%, and the infrared wavelength was tunable in the 2430-2600-nm range. New Sellmeier formulas that predict phase-matching polar angles for frequency conversion processes involving wavelengths up to 2600 nm were established.     

Monolithic wavelength converter for ultraviolet light by use of a Gd(x)Y(1-x)Ca4O(BO3)3 crystal

Gd(x)Y(1-x)Ca4O(BO3)3 (GdYCOB) is a promising nonlinear optical crystal that shows high effective nonlinearity d(eff), noncritical phase matching, and high chemical stability. We report on the fabrication and characteristics of a monolithic wavelength converter, which generates ultraviolet light by the incidence of a 1.064 microm near-infrared laser. The converter consists of GdYCOB for third-harmonic generation, KTiOPO4 (KTP) for second-harmonic generation, and a wave plate. GdYCOB has the advantage of an extremely wide angular acceptance bandwidth, whereas KTP exhibits a high effective nonlinear coefficient and a broad temperature bandwidth. Consequently the combination of these crystals results in highly efficient and stable ultraviolet conversion for constructing a compact and robust ultraviolet laser.     

Efficient and tunable continuous-wave diode-pumped Yb3+:Ca4GdO(BO3)3 laser

A Yb(3+):Ca(4)GdO(BO(3))(3) (Yb:GdCOB) crystal has been diode pumped for the first time to our knowledge. We obtained 47.5% slope efficiency at 6 degrees C, producing 191 mW of power at 1050 nm, with a 2.4% output coupler. Temperature does not significantly affect the laser performance: At room temperature we still obtained 180 mW of power for the same cavity. We achieved tunability of the Yb:GdCOB laser from 1035 to 1088 nm with a 1.7% output coupler and 100-nm tunability with a low-transmission output coupling (T = 0.03%).     

Structural and electrical properties of Gd3+ ion substituted CoGdxFe(2-x)O4 nano-ferrites

Nano particles of CoGdxFe(2-x)O4, with x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 have been prepared by chemical co-precipitation method. The as synthesized particles are annealed at 300 degrees C for two hours to improve crystallinity. The X-ray diffraction patterns reveal the single cobalt ferrite phase formation and the average crystallite size decreases to 7 nm in the Gd3+ ion doped sample (with x = 0.5) compared to 27 nm in case of un-doped cobalt ferrite sample. The electrical properties for the different compositions of Gd3+ ion substituted cobalt ferrite material were studied in the frequency range 100 Hz to 10 MHz at room temperature using WK impedance analyzer. It is found that the electrical conductivity of the samples increases with increasing Gd3+ ion concentration. The results of our investigations reveal a strong dependence of material properties on Gd3+ ion doping.     

CaCu3Ti4O12 nanoparticles using polyvinyl pyrrolidone: synthesis and dielectric properties

Nanocrystalline CaCu3Ti4O12 powders with particle sizes of 39.28 8.12 nm were synthesized by a simple modify sol-gel using PVP (Poly-vinyl-pyrrolidone). The synthesized precursor was characterized by TG-DTA to determine the thermal decomposition and crystallization temperature which was found to be at above 500 degrees C. The precursor was calcined at 800 degrees C in air for 8 h to obtain nanocrystalline powders of CaCu3Ti4O12. The calcined CaCu3Ti4O12 powders were characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM. Sintering of the powders was conducted in air at 1100 degrees C for 16 h. The XRD results indicated that all sintered samples have a typical perovskite CaCu3Ti4O12 structure and a small amount of CaTiO3. SEM micrographs showed the average grain sizes of 1.86 +/- 0.69 /m for the sintered CaCu3Ti4O12 ceramic prepared using the CaCu3Ti4O12 powders calcined at 800 degrees C. The sintered samples exhibit a giant dielectric constant, epsilon' of approximately 10(3)-10(4). The large low-frequency dielectric permittivity at low temperature is closely related to sub-grain boundary distribution, including conductivity effect. Furthermore, the ceramic shows three semicircles in the complex impedance plane. However, at low frequency, semicircles of sub-grain boundary and grain boundary are considered to represent collapse different electrical mechanisms. The another is ascribed to the contribution of grain. The dielectric behavior at several frequencies and temperatures of these samples can be attributed to electronic inhomogeneities present in material and can be explained based on a microstructural model.     

Thermal, structural, optical, and dielectric properties of (100 - x)Li2B4O7 - x(BaO-Bi2O3-Nb2O5) glasses and glass-nanocrystal composites

Transparent glasses in the system (100 - x)Li2B4O7 - x(BaO-Bi2O3-Nb2O5) (x = 10, 20, and 30) were fabricated via the conventional melt-quenching technique. The amorphous and glassy characteristics of the as-quenched samples were established by the differential thermal analyses (DTA) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) studies. Glass-nanocrystal composites (GNCs) i.e., the glasses embedded with BaBi2Nb2O9 (BBN) nanocrystals (10-50 nm) were produced by heat-treating the as-quenched glasses at temperatures higher than 500 degrees C. Perovskite BBN phase formation through an intermediate fluorite-like phase in the glass matrix was confirmed via XRD and transmission electron microscopic (TEM) studies. The optical transmission properties of these GNCs were found to have a strong compositional (BBN content) dependence. The refractive index (n = 1.90) and optical polarizability (alphao = 15.3 x 10(-24) cm3) of the GNC (x = 30) were larger than those of as-quenched glasses. The temperature dependent dielectric constant (epsilonr) and loss factor (D) for the glasses and GNCs were determined in the 100-40 MHz frequency range. The epsilonr was found to increase with increase in heat-treatment temperatures, while the loss of the glass-nanocomposites was less than that of as-quenched glasses. The sample heat-treated at 620 degrees C/1 h (x = 30) exhibited relaxor behavior associated with a dielectric anomaly in the 150-250 degrees C temperature range. The frequency dependence of the dielectric maximum temperature was found to obey the Vogel-Fulcher relation (Ea = 0.32 eV and Tf = 201 K).     

In-line broadband 270 degrees (3lambda/4) chevron four-reflection wave retarders

The net differential phase shift Delta(t) introduced between the orthogonal p and s linear polarizations after four successive total internal reflections inside an in-line chevron dual-Fresnel-rhomb retarder is a function of the first internal angle of incidence phi and prism refractive index n. Retardance of 3lambda/4 (i.e., Delta(t)=270 degrees) is achieved with minimum angular sensitivity when phi=45 degrees and n=1.900822. Several optical glasses with this refractive index are identified. For Schott glass SF66 the deviation of Delta(t) from 270 degrees is < or = 4 degrees over a wavelength range of 0.55 < or = lambda < or = 1.1 microm in the visible and near-IR spectrum. For a SiC prism, whose totally reflecting surfaces are coated with an optically thick MgF(2) film, Delta(t)=270 degrees at two wavelengths: lambda(1)=0.707 microm and lambda(2)=4.129 microm. This coated prism has a maximum retardance error of approximately 5 degrees over > three octaves (0.5 to 4.5 microm) in the visible, near-, and mid-IR spectral range. Another mid-IR 3lambda/4 retarder uses a Si prism, which is coated by an optically thick silicon oxynitride film of the proper composition, to achieve retardance that differs from 270 degrees by < 0.5 degrees over the 3-5 microm spectral range.     

Single-crystal oxoborate (Pb3O)2(BO3)2WO4: Growth and characterization

An oxoborate, (Pb₃O)₂(BO₃)₂WO₄, has been prepared by solid-state reaction methods below 620 °C. Single-crystal XRD analysis shows that it crystallizes in the orthorhombic group Cmcm with a = 18.480(4) Å, b = 6.3567(13) Å, c = 11.672(2) Å, Z = 4. The crystal structure is composed of one-dimensional 1/∞ [Pb₃O]⁴⁺ chains formed by corner-sharing OPb₄ tetrahedra. BO₃ and WO₄ groups are located around the chains to hold them together via PbO bonds. The IR spectra further confirmed the presence of BO₃ groups. Furthermore we have performed theoretical calculations by employing the all-electron full potential linearized augmented plane wave (FP-LAPW) method to solve the Kohn Sham equations. Starting from our XRD data we have optimized the atomic positions by minimizing the forces. These are used to calculate the electronic band structure, the atomic site-decomposed density of states, electron charge density and the chemical bonding features. The calculated electronic band structure and densities of states suggest that this oxoborate possesses a wide energy band gap. The valence band maxima and the conduction band minima are located at Y point in the Brillouin zone resulting in a direct energy band gap of 2.3 eV using the local density approximation and 2.6 eV for the Engel–Vosko generalized gradient approximation. This compares well with our experimentally measured energy band gap of 2.9 eV. From our calculated electron charge density distribution, we obtain an image of the electron clouds that surround the molecules in the unit cell of the crystal. The chemical bonding features were analyzed and the substantial covalent interactions are observed between Pb and O, B and O and W and O atoms.     

Thermoelectric properties of nanocrystalline Ca(3-x)Cu(x)Co4O9 (0 < or = x < or = 0.32) for power generation

We successfully synthesized nano-sized Ca(3-x)Cu(x)Co4O9 (0 < or = x < or = 0.32) powders by solution combustion process. Plate-like grains and porous structure were observed in the sintered Ca(3-x)Cu(x)Co4O9 ceramics. The sintered Ca(3-x)Cu(x)Co4O9 showed a monoclinic symmetry. The electrical conductivity of the Ca(3-x)Cu(x)Co4O9 increased with increasing temperature, indicative of a semiconducting behavior. The added Cu led to a significant increase in the electrical conductivity. The Seebeck coefficient of the Cu-added Ca(3-x)Cu(x)Co4O9 was much higher than that of the Cu-free Ca3Co4O9. The highest power factor (9.99 x 10(-4) Wm(-1)K-2) was obtained for Ca2.76Cu0.24Co4O9 at 800 degrees C.     

Gas sensing property of perovskite SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O3_delta fabricated by thick film planar technology

Planar sensor of SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O3-delta, x = 0.4 and 0.6, with perovskite structure was fabricated on alumina substrate using thick film technology. Electrical resistance was measured as a function of thermal treatment conditions, atmosphere, time and temperature. Sensing property was also measured as a function of temperature and the gases of O2, CH4, CO, CO2, NO and NO2. The resistance of SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O3-delta is lower than those of SrTiO3 or SrFeO3. TCR (temperature coefficient of resistance) of zero over 550 degrees C was measured for the composition of SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O3-delta after thermal treatment at 1100 degrees C in air atmosphere only. The perovskite SrTi(1-x)Fe(x)O3-delta didn't show any response to CH4, CO, CO2, NO and NO2, but an excellent response and recovery characteristics with oxygen concentration.     

Measurement of the Refractive Indices of H(2)SO(4)-HNO(3)-H(2)O Solutions to Stratospheric Temperatures

Refractive indices of various H(2)SO(4)-H(2)O, HNO(3)-H(2)O, and H(2)SO(4)-HNO(3)-H(2)O solutions were measured at four wavelengths in the visible (351.0, 533.5, 632.9, and 782.6 nm) over a temperature range from 30 to -60 degrees C. The temperature dependence has been determined for the first time to the authors' knowledge. This dependence is of importance for applications to atmospheric aerosols at low temperatures. In particular, it is shown that (1) the molar refractivity of the solutions is independent of temperature, whereas the temperature dependence of the refractive index arises solely through the temperature dependence of the solution's mass density, (2) the molar refractivities of H(2)SO(4) and HNO(3) in a ternary solution may be calculated as the weighted sum of the molar refractivities of two binary solutions evaluated at a concentration that corresponds to the total acid concentration, and (3) the H(2)O molar refractivity in the solutions may be taken equal to that of pure water. Although the data for the ternary system have been used for this model verification, data for binary H(2)SO(4)-H(2)O and HNO(3)-H(2)O solutions were used to improve the accuracy of the modeled refractive indices to better than 0.0017% or 0.15% for concentrations of 5-70 wt.% and wavelengths from the near ultraviolet to the near infrared (0.25-2 mum).     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of rare earth doped gamma-ray-irradiated GdCa4O(BO3)3 phosphors

Undoped and rare earth (RE = Ce, Dy, and Eu) doped GdCa₄O(BO₃)₃ phosphors were synthesized by solid-state diffusion technique. Formation of the sample was confirmed by taking X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of the sample. Photoluminescence (PL) emission spectrum showed characteristic emission of RE doped in the GdCa₄O(BO₃)₃ sample. It is observed that doping of RE ion initially enhanced the TL yield, attained an optimum TL for a particular concentration of dopant (i.e., 0.5 mol%) then decreased with further increase in dopant concentration for all the samples. We found that Ce is the best activator for enhancing the TL yield in GdCa₄O(BO₃)₃ system. Fading of TL intensity of the sample was studied and it is found that fading of the TL is about 5% over the period of 15 days. The simple glow curve, linear response to γ-ray dose and less fading; makes the GdCa₄O(BO₃)₃:Ce(0.5 mol%) phosphors a suitable candidate for TL dosimetry.     

La(BO3,PO4):Ce,Tb,Gd的发光研究

以BPO4和稀土氧化物为原料制备了铈、铽、钇共掺杂的硼磷酸镧绿色荧光粉,研究了基质中Gd^3 、Ce^3 、Tb^3 的发光特性及它们之间的相互作用。在该基质中存在Ce^3 →Gd^3 、Gd^3 →Tb^3 、Ce^3 →Tb^3 的能量传递;当钆加入到铈、铽共掺杂的硼磷酸镧基质中会导致铈离子的发射减弱,铽离子^5D4→^7F1的发射显著增强,而^5D3→^7F1的发射没有明显变化,故有利于提高荧光粉的发光强度和绿色发射纯度。用硼磷酸钆作基质比用硼磷酸镧更能提高荧光粉的发光强度、发光纯度以及发光色坐标x的值,所以La(BO3,PO4):Ce,Tb,Gd和Gd(BO3,PO4):Ce,Tb均是理想的绿色发射材料。     

Luminescence efficiency enhancement of BaZr(BO3)2:Eu with Si or Al addition

Si4+ and Al3+ doped BaZr(BO3)2:Eu phosphors were prepared by solidstate reaction. BaZr(BO3)2:Eu3+, BaZr(BO3)2:Eu3+, Si4+ and BaZr(BO3)2:Eu3+, Al3+ were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectra (XRD) and photoluminescence spectra. After codoped with Si or Al, the charge-transfer state (CTS) band of Eu3+-O(2-) shows blue shift accompanied by increasing intensity due to shorter ionic radius and stronger electro negativity of Si or Al compared with Zr4+. The high value of asymmetric ratio R(2-1) and omega2 of BaZr(BO3)2:Eu3+ with Si or Al codoping indicates a less symmetrical local structure of Eu3+. This implies that the quantum efficiencies of the 5D0 level of these complexes can be enhanced by doping with Si and Al respectively. Calculation of the Judd-Ofelt parameters of Eu3+ under different crystal fields gives similar results.     

Effect of Sn4+ B-Site Substitution on the Microstructure and Dielectric Properties of Ba(Mg1/3Ta2/3)O3 Microwave Ceramics

1.IntroductionRecent progress of microwave telecommunication de-mands the development and application of a variety ofmicrowave dielectric materials.The materials with highdielectric constant(ε),high quality factor(Q)and smalltemperature coefficient of resonant frequency(TCF)haveattracted the greatest interest of researchers.The com-pounds Ba(B'1/3B"2/3)O3(B'=Mg,Zn,Ni,etc.B"=Ta,Nb,etc.)with complex perovskite structure exhibit veryhigh Q value at microwave frequencies greaterthan10GHz.…     

Improvement in high-temperature thermoelectric properties by adding Mn for Co in Ca3Co4O9

Nano-sized Ca3Co(4-x)Mn(x)O9 (0 < or = x < or = 0.6) thermoelectric powders were synthesized by solution combustion method, using aspartic acid as fuel. The microstructure and high-temperature (500-800 degrees C) thermoelectric properties of the Ca3Co(4-x)Mn(x)O9 were investigated. The addition of Mn for Co in Ca3Co(4-x)Mn(x)O9 resulted in a decrease of the electrical conductivity and a significant increase of the Seebeck coefficient. Consequently, the power factor was remarkably enhanced by the addition of Mn. Ca3Co(3.7)Mn(0.3)O9 sample showed the highest value of the power factor (1.24 x 10(-4) Wm(-1) K(-2)) at 800 degrees C. We believe that the Ca3Co(4-x)Mn(x)O9 is strongly desirable as a novel high-temperature thermoelectric material for power generation.