Growth and optical properties of (Yb 3−xY x)Al 5O 12:Ce 3+ single crystals

Abstract

To improve the infrared emission of Yb 3+ ions doped in the garnet host Y 3Al 5O 12 (YAG) single crystal through the energy transfer from Ce 3+ to Yb 3+ ions, the 〈1 1 1〉-oriented YAG:Ce 3+, YAG:Yb 3+, YAG:(Ce 3+, Yb 3+) and Yb 3Al 5O 12:Ce 3+ (YbAG:Ce 3+) single crystals were grown using the Czochralski Method, respectively. The excitation and emission spectra of these garnet single crystals were characterized. In YAG:Ce 3+ crystal, the yellow emission of Ce 3+ ions present, but it was completely extinguished in YAG:(Ce 3+, Yb 3+) crystal and YbAG:Ce 3+ crystal. However, the characteristic absorption bands of Ce 3+ still existed in the excitation spectrum of Yb 3+ ions, which showed that the energy absorbed by Ce 3+ ions can be transferred to Yb 3+ ions for its infrared emission.