Luminescence properties of ZrO{sub 2}-CaO eutectic crystals with ordered lamellar microstructure activated with Er{sup 3+} ions
- Instituto de Ciencia de Materiales de Aragon, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Cientificas-Universidad de Zaragoza, 50009 Zaragoza (Spain)
Er{sup 3+}-doped ZrO{sub 2}-CaO eutectic crystals with ordered microstructure have been grown by the laser floating zone method. The microstructure consists of alternating 2 {mu}m thick lamellae of calcia-stabilized zirconia (CaSZ) and CaZrO{sub 3} crystals. Er{sup 3+} enters both phases but at a higher concentration in CaSZ. Due to its higher refractive index, the latter phase acts as a light guiding medium. The optical properties of Er{sup 3+}-doped eutectic, as well as its components, CaSZ and CaZrO{sub 3} crystals, are analyzed. Absorption and emission spectra of CaZrO{sub 3} consist of narrow bands. For this crystal most of the Er{sup 3+} Stark level positions are given. In contrast, the bands for CaSZ are broad, as it corresponds to a defective material. Absorption oscillator strengths, radiative-transition probabilities and emission lifetimes have been measured at different temperatures, between 600 and 4 K. Absorption oscillator strengths are 1.5 times higher for Er{sup 3+} in CaZrO{sub 3} than in CaSZ, while multiphonon deexcitation probabilities are one order of magnitude smaller, with the exception of the lowest energy {sup 4}I{sub 13/2}{r_arrow}{sup 4}I{sub 15/2} emission, which presents the maximum quantum efficiency in both phases. {copyright} {ital 1997} {ital The American Physical Society}
- OSTI ID:
- 544914
- Journal Information:
- Physical Review, B: Condensed Matter, Vol. 56, Issue 17; Other Information: PBD: Nov 1997
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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