Synthesis and laser patterning of Bi-doped Y3Fe5O12 crystals in germanosilicate glasses

Abstract

Abstract New germanosilicate glasses giving the crystallization of yttrium iron garnet Y 3 Fe 5 O 12 (YIG) and Bi-doped YIG, 23Na 2 O– x Bi 2 O 3 –(12− x )Y 2 O 3 –25Fe 2 O 3 –20SiO 2 –20GeO 2 (mol%), are developed, and the laser-induced crystallization technique is applied to the glasses to pattern YIG and Bi-doped YIG crystals on the glass surface. It is clarified from the Mossbauer effect measurements that iron ions in the glasses are present mainly as Fe 3+ . It is suggested from the X-ray diffraction analyses and magnetization measurements that Si 4+ ions are incorporated into YIG crystals formed in the crystallization of glasses. The irradiations (laser power: 32–60 mW and laser scanning speed: 7 μm/s) of continuous wave Yb:YVO 4 fiber laser (wavelength: 1080 nm) are found to induce YIG and Bi-doped YIG crystals, indicating that Fe 3+ ions in the glasses act as suitable transition metal ions for the laser-induced crystallization. It is suggested that YIG and Bi-doped YIG crystals in the laser irradiated part might orient. The present study will be a first step for the patterning of magnetic crystals containing iron ions in glasses.