Decay kinetics in single crystals and ceramics based on yttrium aluminum garnet doped with rare earth ions

Abstract

The paper is devoted to the study of cathodoluminescence decay kinetics in ceramics and single crystals of YAG:Nd and YAG:Eu. The decay kinetics of Nd and Eu cathodoluminescence bands were found to be double exponential. The decay kinetics dependence on the electron beam penetration depth was studied. The cathodoluminescence technique allowed varying the proportion of surface area in the excited region depending on the energy of the electron beam. The electron beam depth penetration calculation was performed using Monte Carlo method. In single crystals the second decay component appeared to be only on the surface of the samples, whereas in ceramics the second decay component was constant over electron beam penetration depth. Double exponential kinetics as assumed are connected with two types of RE ions – luminescent centers.