Garnet Crystals Research Articles

Large-Angle Rocking Beam Electron Diffraction of Large Unit Cell Crystals Using Direct Electron Detector.

We report a large-angle rocking beam electron diffraction (LARBED) technique for electron diffraction analysis. Diffraction patterns are recorded in a scanning transmission electron microscope (STEM) using a direct electron detector with large dynamical range and fast readout. We use a nanobeam for diffraction and perform the beam double rocking by synchronizing the detector with the STEM scan coils for the recording. Using this approach, large-angle convergent beam electron diffraction (LACBED) patterns of different reflections are obtained simultaneously. By using a nanobeam, instead of a focused beam, the LARBED technique can be applied to beam-sensitive crystals as well as crystals with large unit cells. This paper describes the implementation of LARBED and evaluates the performance using silicon and gadolinium gallium garnet crystals as test samples. We demonstrate that our method provides an effective and robust way for recording LARBED patterns and paves the way for quantitative electron diffraction of large unit cell and beam-sensitive crystals.

Ultrafast Laser Manipulation of In-Lattice Plasmonic Nanoparticles.

Plasmonic nanoparticles enable manipulation and enhancement of light fields at deep subwavelength scales, leading to structures and devices for diverse applications in optics. Despite hybrid plasmonic materials display remarkable optical properties due to interactions between components in nanoproximity, scalable production of plasmonic nanostructures within a single-crystalline matrix to achieve an ideal plasmon-crystal interface remains challenging. Here, a novel approach is presented to realize efficient manipulation of in-lattice plasmonic nanoparticles. Employing ultrafast-laser-driven plasmonic nanolithography, metallic nanoparticles with controllable morphology are precisely defined in the crystalline lattice of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystal. Through direct ion implantation, hybrid plasmonic material composed of nanoparticles embedded in a sub-surface amorphous YAG layer is created. Subsequently, femtosecond laser pulses guide formation and reshaping of plasmonic nanoparticles from the amorphous layer into the single-crystalline matrix along direction of light propagation, facilitated by a plasmon-mediated evolution of laser energy deposition. By tailoring resonance modes and optimizing the coupling between structured particle assemblies, a range of applications including polarization-dependent absorption and nonlinearity, controllable photoluminescence, and structural color generation is demonstrated. This research introduces a new approach for fabricating advanced optical materials featuring in-lattice plasmonic nanostructures, paving the way for the development of diverse functional photonic devices.

Oriented Acicular Rutile Inclusions in Eclogites: Exsolutions From Majoritic Garnet or Shock Needles?

AbstractOriented rutile needles (ORNs) forming a triangular network on the cross sections of garnet crystals have been widely used together with omphacite inclusions as evidence for exsolution from a majoritic garnet and exhumation of the host rocks from great depths (>200 km) in the Earth. A coronitic eclogite at Yangkou in the Chinese Su‐Lu high‐pressure metamorphic belt contains ORNs that are only found in the reddish cores of garnet porphyroblasts. The texture formed by the ORNs is not restricted to garnet but extends into the coexisting other minerals, which together form pseudomorphs after augite. Therefore, the ORNs are not specifically related to the host garnet and cannot be exsolutions therefrom. The outer zones of the garnet porphyroblasts in contact with plagioclase pseudomorphs are pale and rutile‐free but contain minute inclusions of omphacite, quartz, kyanite, phengite, and K‐feldspar, typical of coronitic garnet between augite and plagioclase. Electron backscatter diffraction reveals no optimum matching of the low index crystallographic directions of rutile and garnet as required by an exsolution mechanism. On the other hand, the ORNs resemble the amorphous lamellae in quartz and zircon in meteorite and seismic shocked rocks, and are inferred to have crystallized earlier in seismic shocked augite and were then overgrown by the host minerals. By contrast, the rutile particles in garnet cataclasites in a nearby eclogite breccia display deformed and explosive patterns and random crystallographic orientations. All these observations are best explained by the seismic shock compression and rarefaction scenario proposed earlier.

Temperature dependence of photo- and radio-luminescence, scintillation and photoconversion properties of Lu0.6Gd2.4(Al5-xScx)O12:Ce garnet crystals grown by micro-pulling-down method

The luminescence, scintillation and photoconversion properties of Ce3+-doped Lu0.6Gd2.4(Al5-xScx)O12 (x = 1.2, 1.5, 2) garnet crystals grown by micro-pulling-down method were investigated. Increasing Sc3+ concentration induced lattice strain and cracking due to ionic radius mismatch. At low Sc3+ concentration, the strain caused core-concentrated cracks and radial inhomogeneity. At higher Sc3+ concentration, extensive cracking occurred throughout crystals, improving radial homogeneity. With the increase of Sc3+ concentration, the Ce3+ 5d1 → 4f luminescence was slightly blue-shifted due to the decrease in crystal field splitting of the 5d levels. At room temperature (RT), the increase of light yield with increasing Sc3+ concentration was attributed to the decrease in the bandgap value. Above RT, the decrease of photo- and radio-luminescence for all samples was due to the thermal ionization process. The decrease of radioluminescence at low-temperature regions can be caused by the localization of electrons at intrinsic shallow traps. Photoluminescence measurements disclosed that variations in scandium concentration can effectively modulate the correlated color temperature (CCT), color rendering index (CRI), and luminous efficiency (LE) of these luminescent materials. The incorporation of a micro-perovskite phase in the Lu0.6Gd2.4(Al3.8Sc1.2)O12:Ce crystal resulted in a notable enhancement of the luminous efficiency, exhibiting a 38 % increase when compared to the sample devoid of micro-inclusions (e.g. x = 2.0).

Tailoring scintillation and luminescence through Co-doping engineering: A comparative study of Ce,Tb Co-doped YAGG and GAGG garnet crystals

The development of scintillators with co-doping mechanisms has received significant attention due to the resulting enhancements in luminescence and scintillation properties. Scintillators such as Ce-doped (Gd,Tb)3(Al,Ga)5O12 have been recognized for their improved performance, attributed to the effective energy transfer between Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions. Nevertheless, the presence of Gd3+ introduced complexities, as its absorption lines strongly overlap with those of Tb3+, thus masking the details of mechanisms of the Tb3+↔Ce3+ energy transfer. This study endeavored to elucidate this mechanism by comparing the luminescence characteristics of Ce,Tb co-doped Y3Al2Ga3O12 (YAGG) and Gd3A2Ga3O12 (GAGG) single crystals. Through detailed photoluminescence spectral analysis, it was discerned that GAGG exhibited a more robust Tb3+↔Ce3+ energy transfer, as evidenced by a marked extension in the decay time of Ce3+ luminescence. Furthermore, GAGG demonstrated superior integrated radioluminescence intensity across all compositions which is a result of efficient energy transfer from Gd3+ to the luminescence centers. Additionally, comparative thermally stimulated luminescence glow curves, revealed distinctive spectral features between YAGG and GAGG, underscoring the complexity of their luminescence mechanisms. This comparative study not only augmented our comprehension of the intricate energy transfer processes in Ce, Tb co-doped garnet scintillators but also underscored the potential for tailored scintillator development through strategic ion co-doping.

Optical investigations of coherence and relaxation dynamics of a thulium-doped yttrium gallium garnet crystal at sub-kelvin temperatures for optical quantum memory

Optical investigations of coherence and relaxation dynamics of a thulium-doped yttrium gallium garnet crystal at sub-kelvin temperatures for optical quantum memory

Broadband rapid-scanning phase-modulated Fourier transform electronic spectroscopy

We present a phase-modulated approach for ultrabroadband Fourier transform electronic spectroscopy. To overcome the bandwidth limitations and spatial chirp introduced by acousto-optic modulators (AOMs), pulses from a 1 µm laser are modulated using AOMs prior to continuum generation. This phase modulation is transferred to the continuum generated in a yttrium aluminum garnet crystal. Separately generated phase-modulated continua in two arms of a Mach-Zehnder interferometer interfere with the difference of their modulation frequencies, enabling physical under-sampling of the signal and the suppression of low-frequency noise. By interferometrically tracking the relative time delay of the continua, we perform continuous, rapid-scanning Fourier transform electronic spectroscopy with a high signal-to-noise ratio and spectral resolution. As proof of principle, we measure the linear absorption and fluorescence excitation spectra of a laser dye and various biological samples.

Research on measuring method of self-mixing interference magnetic field based on Faraday effect

In this paper, the magnetic field measurement method of laser self-mixing interference based on the Faraday effect is proposed. The polarization plane of the linearly polarized light is changed by the terbium gallium garnet crystal with the influence of the magnetic field. The light modulated by the magnetic field reentered into the laser cavity through the Brewster window and formed the self-mixing effect. The theoretical analysis of the self-mixing interference model based on the Faraday effect is conducted, which explains essential features of the experimental results. The magnetic field is measured by the peak-to-peak value of self-mixing interference signal. The experimental results show that the relative error of the magnetic field measurement is within ±1.6%. The measurement method has the advantage of simple and compact structure with strong anti-interference ability.

Garnet Geochemistry of Pertek Skarns (Tunceli, Turkey) and U-Pb Age Findings

The Fe skarn and vein-type Cu mineralization types are common in the Eastern Taurus Mountains. This study aims to determine the U-Pb geochronology of garnets of varying sizes within the skarn zone developed at the quartz diorite–marble contact zone in Ayazpınar, Pertek District, Tunceli Province, Turkey. Additionally, this study aims to determine the age of the skarnization and the types of inclusion minerals in the garnets. Faulting and magma emplacement along the thrust plane caused mineralization in the Eastern Taurus Mountains, especially at the marble and quartz diorite contact zone between the cities of Elazığ and Tunceli. The greenish garnets found in the Ayazpınar deposit are characteristic of distal skarns, while red or brown Pertek garnets are observed in the proximal skarns. The garnets typically feature a core–rim texture. The cores of the garnet crystals are large, reddish in color, and have a high REE (Ce, Pr) content. Moreover, the cores have higher Fe and lower Al ratios, alongside higher La, Ce, and Pr contents, than the rims. We propose that the compositional differences between the rims and the cores reflect the transition from oxidized REE- and Fe3+-rich liquids to liquids with lower REE and Fe3+ contents, producing the differences in the garnet colors. Green garnets show lower REE contents than brown garnets with Fe-rich cores. The skarn under study includes the following successively formed zones: diorite → epidote skarn → garnet–magnetite → pyrite–garnet–magnetite → calcite carbonate. Diopside, magnetite, and hematite, including small grains, are surrounded or enveloped by garnets. The U-Pb age of the mineralization is 74.1 ± 5 Ma, indicating that the mineralization occurred concurrently with the intrusion settlement.

Effect of Gadolinium Addition on Magnetic and Magneto-Optical Properties of Yttrium Iron Garnet Crystal

Effect of Gadolinium Addition on Magnetic and Magneto-Optical Properties of Yttrium Iron Garnet Crystal

Enhancement of magnon bistability and magnon–phonon entanglement using vacuum induced coherence in cavity magnomechanics

We propose a novel approach to enhance magnon bistability and magnon–phonon entanglement in a microwave cavity containing a driving atomic ensemble and a ferrimagnetic crystal of yttrium iron garnet (YIG), where the cavity is simultaneously coupled with the magnon and atoms while the magnon couples to phonon through magnetostrictive interaction. When the magnon-atom coherent coupling is established via the exchange of virtual photon, it is of interest that the magnon bistability is significantly enhanced by the vacuum induced coherence (VIC) from the atomic spontaneous. Moreover, the magnon–phonon entanglement that arises from parametric and beam-splitter interactions are also enhanced, wherein the atomic ensemble acts as a reservoir to cooling the magnon and phonon further. The present scheme provides a feasible way to control the nonlinear magnon–phonon coupling strength by quantum interference, which may be useful for macroscopic quantum information processing.

PROSPECTIVE LITHIUM ALUMINOSILICATE GLASS-CERAMIC MATERIALS FOR PULSE RANGEFINDERS

The relevance of creating multi-functional nanosecond pulsed laser devices with a generation wavelength that lies in the conditionally eye-safe region of the spectrum of 1.5÷1.6 μm has been established. The prospects of using the mode of passive Q-switching when receiving powerful nanosecond laser pulses with a radiation divergence close to the diffraction one have been determined. Materials for shutters that function in the mode of passive Q-switching were analyzed: solid-state nonlinear optical materials based on single crystals of yttrium-aluminum garnet doped with cations of neodymium, chromium, vanadium and other Nd- or Yb-doped crystals in the wavelength range of 0.8–1.2 μm. The promising use of oxide single crystals activated by Co2+ ions in four-coordinated oxygen positions for MgAl2O4, LiGa5O8, LaMgAl11O19 has been confirmed. The feasibility of developing transparent glass-ceramics based on aluminomagnesium and lithium gallium spinel for pulsed ranging was determined, taking into account its commercial availability, the simplicity of the production technology, as well as the homogeneity of the distribution of the activator in the volume. The feasibility of creating a new type of nonlinear optical materials based on nanostructured heat-resistant lithium aluminosilicate glass ceramics with spinel nanocrystals activated by Co2+ ions under low-temperature heat treatment conditions, has been determined. The purpose and tasks of the work are formulated, which consist in justifying the choice of the system and compositions of glasses for obtaining glass-ceramic materials as a passive laser shutter for powerful lasers that operate at a wavelength of 1.54 μm and are characterized by high heat resistance. The choice of the lithium aluminosilicate system R2O – RO – RO2 – P2O5 – R2O3 – SiO2 based on phase-forming SiO2, Al2O3, Li2O, modifying K2O is substantiated; RO – MgO, ZnO, CaO, SrO, BaO components and a complex crystallization catalyst of P2O5, CeO2, TiO2, SnO2, ZrO2 and ZnO. The structural criteria for the glass matrix were formulated. Compositions of model glasses were designed taking into account the calculated parameters fSi > 0.22, Kсr ≥ 3.5, Ktr ≥ 2.1, and the probability of obtaining transparent glass-ceramic materials with a sitallized structure for pulse rangefinders was established on their basis.

Rapid Fabrication of Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Microhole Array Based on Femtosecond Bessel Beam

High-aspect-ratio microholes, the fundamental building blocks for microfluidics, optical waveguides, and other devices, find wide applications in aerospace, biomedical, and photonics fields. Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) crystals are commonly used in optical devices due to their low stress, hardness, and excellent chemical stability. Therefore, finding efficient fabrication methods to produce high-quality microholes within YAG crystals is crucial. The Bessel beam, characterized by a uniform energy distribution along its axis and an ultra-long depth of focus, is highly suitable for creating high-aspect-ratio structures. In this study, an axicon lens was used to shape the spatial profile of a femtosecond laser into a Bessel beam. Experimental verification showed a significant improvement in the high aspect ratio of the microholes produced in YAG crystals using the femtosecond Bessel beam. This study investigated the effects of the power and defocus parameters of single-pulse Bessel beams on microhole morphology and size, and microhole units with a maximum aspect ratio of more than 384:1 were obtained. Based on these findings, single-pulse femtosecond Bessel processing parameters were optimized, and an array of 181 × 181 microholes in a 400 μm thick YAG crystal was created in approximately 13.5 min. The microhole array had a periodicity of 5 μm and a unit aspect ratio of 315:1, with near-circular top and subface apertures and high repeatability.

Efficient continuous-wave and passively Q-switched Nd:GSAG laser operating at 1.3 μm

We report on the laser performance of neodymium-doped gadolinium scandium aluminum garnet (Nd:GSAG) crystals at 1.3 μm for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. An efficient continuous-wave (CW) laser at 1336 nm and on output power of up to 2.01 W was obtained under an absorbed pump power of 4.89 W with slope and optical-to-optical efficiencies of 43.4 % and 41.1 %, respectively. Furthermore, a passively Q-switched (PQS) laser with a Co:MgAl2O4 crystal serving as a saturable absorber in a compact plano-plano resonator cavity was examined. A maximum average output power of 0.2 W was obtained with a pulse width, pulse energy, and peak power of 34.4 ns, 22.2 µJ, and 645 W, respectively. Our results indicated that Nd:GSAG crystals are promising for producing high-efficiency CW lasers and effective PQS lasers at 1336 nm.

Effects of cerium oxide and cerium sulfate on the optical behavior of synthesized garnet glass ceramics

In this study, the YAG silicate glasses containing the cerium sulfate and cerium oxide salts (17YO3-33Al2O3-40SiO2-2AlF3-3NaF-2CeO2-3B2O3), separately were produced by melting method and glass ceramics were produced by heat treatment of base glasses. According to Photo Luminescence spectrums of both glasses there were emissions in the range of 466 and 435 nm wavelengths related to cerium ions. It was shown that by heating treatment, garnet crystal (in sulfated sample) formed less than the sample with cerium oxide. The emission spectra of both glass-ceramics, when excited at 240 nm, fall within the wavelength range of 460 nm. Also, the 534 and 660 nm emissions wavelengths were obtained by 340 nm wavelength excitation. Heat treatments were done by oxide atmosphere in tubular furnace (single step), SPS sintered powder and in hydrogen atmosphere (by two steps heating). According to XRD results the 24 hrs. heat treating time and the 1060 °C temperature affect the entry of cerium into the garnet structure. Finally, by comparing the spectroscopic results the optical response of the garnet glass-ceramic synthesized in the hydrogen atmosphere was obtained at 400 nm wavelength that indicated this garnet can be applied in the LED industry.

Mechanisms and durations of metamorphic garnet crystallization in the lower nappes of the Caledonian Kalak Nappe Complex, Arctic Norway

AbstractThe 3D microstructure and compositional zoning of garnet populations in micaschists from the Kolvik and Bekkarfjord nappes indicate the quasi‐equilibration of their major components across the rock matrices during interface‐controlled, size‐independent garnet growth. There is microstructural evidence for foliation‐parallel, small‐scale resorption of garnet rims in the Kolvik Nappe, influencing the metamorphic peak conditions obtained from thermodynamic modelling. The local chemical compositions of rims less affected by resorption indicate a peak temperature of ~630°C, which is ~40°C higher than the temperature obtained from resorbed rims of the largest garnet crystal. Using a diffusion geospeedometry approach that considers the geometry of the compositional zoning of the garnet population, as well as the higher, more realistic peak temperature, a duration of 1 to 4.9 Myr is obtained for garnet growth in the Kolvik Nappe. This is approximately 1 order of magnitude faster than duration estimates obtained when using the apparent, lower temperature estimated from the resorbed garnet rims. Concomitantly to garnet growth in the Kolvik Nappe, garnet overgrowths formed in the Bekkarfjord Nappe for circa 2.5 Myr at metamorphic peak temperatures of ~560°C. The garnet growth durations obtained here are comparable with the uncertainty on the Lu–Hf garnet–whole rock isochron ages of 419.9 ± 2.4 Ma and 423.0 ± 1.9 Ma, previously obtained for these rocks. These results provide new insight into the timescales of repeated Barrovian‐type metamorphic events experienced by the lower nappes of the Kalak Nappe Complex during the Caledonian Orogeny in Arctic Norway. This study emphasizes the importance of microstructural and chemical characterization of garnet populations in assessing metamorphic crystallization mechanisms and the extent of equilibration of garnet‐forming components during prograde metamorphism. Moreover, our results provide means for reducing the uncertainty on metamorphic durations obtained via diffusion geospeedometry and, so, contributing to our understanding of geological timescales and processes.

Nonreciprocal microwave-optical entanglement in a magnon-based hybrid system

We propose a theoretical scheme for the generation of nonreciprocal microwave-optical entanglement in a magnon-based hybrid system where an optical photon in a spinning resonator is coupled to a phonon representing the quantum of the mechanical deformation of a yttrium iron garnet crystal via radiation pressure. Meanwhile, the magnon interacts with the phonon and the microwave through the magnetostrictive and magnetic dipole–dipole interactions, respectively. By spinning the resonator, the light driven in opposite directions propagates irreversibly, which leads to the classical nonreciprocity of mean optical photon numbers. Strikingly, the nonreciprocal entanglement between microwave and optical photons can be generated owing to the Fizeau light-dragging effect. Physically, the magnon–phonon entanglement induced by the magnomechanical parametric downconversion interaction is partially transferred to the microwave-optical subsystem through magnon-microwave and optomechanical state-exchange interactions. Moreover, the nonreciprocity of entanglement can be manipulated by properly choosing various system parameters and the ideal nonreciprocal microwave–optical entanglement could be achieved, in which the entanglement depending on the effective optical detuning is present in a chosen direction but disappears in the other direction. Our work could be applied in the multi-task quantum information processing and construction of chiral quantum networks.

Up- and down-conversion photoluminescence properties of Ho2O3 doped YbAG single crystals prepared by optical floating zone method

Single crystals of garnets with composition Yb2.96-xYxHo0.04Al5O12 (x = 0, 2.92, 2.96) were grown by optical floating zone method, and shown by XRD measurements to be in the cubic phase. EDS spectra show that Ho3+ and Yb3+ were homogenously distributed in the structure. As shown by the transmission and absorption spectra, the Yb2.96-xYxHo0.04Al5O12 crystals are highly transparent and can function as excellent optical crystals. Compared to the Y2.96Ho0.04Al5O12 crystal, the Yb2.96Ho0.04Al5O12 crystal has an additional strong broad absorption in the 836–1070 nm range, which increases its absorption of 980 nm photons. The optical band gaps of the Yb2.96-xYxHo0.04Al5O12 crystals decrease with increasing Yb2O3 concentration. Furthermore, differences with Yb2O3 concentrations in the Yb2.96-xYxHo0.04Al5O12 crystals were observed for the first time in the up- and down-conversion photoluminescence. Under excitation with a 980 nm laser, the up-conversion PL spectra of the Yb2.96-xYxHo0.04Al5O12 crystals show several emission peaks at 548 nm, 665 nm and 775 nm, and their intensities increase with Yb2O3 concentrations. In the Yb2.96Ho0.04Al5O12 crystal, Yb3+ not only is a component of the garnet structure, but it also acts as a sensitizer. In regards of down-conversion, under excitation at 454 nm, the down-conversion PL spectra of the Yb2.96-xYxHo0.04Al5O12 crystals show strong emission peaks at 550 nm, and their intensities decrease with increasing Yb2O3 concentrations, which is considered to be the consequence of increasing matrix density.

Île Dumet (Armorican Massif, France) and its glaucophane eclogites: the little sister of Île de Groix

Abstract. Blueschist-facies rocks are scarce within the Variscan orogen. Two main occurrences are known in the Armorican Massif (NW France), at Île de Groix and Bois-de-Céné. Another glaucophane occurrence was discovered in 1988 but went unnoticed; it is located on Île Dumet, an uninhabited island off the coast of southern Brittany, in the estuary of the river Vilaine. Orthogneiss occurs on the SW half of the island; the original granitoid magma had intruded mica schists on the NE half, where numerous 1 to 10 m long boudins of mafic rocks occur. These lenses are typically retrogressed into plagioclase-bearing amphibolite, but a few contain remnants of glaucophane-bearing eclogite, which also occurs as numerous loose blocks along the NE coast of the island, suggesting that the best-preserved eclogites lie in situ offshore in that direction. The glaucophane eclogites contain garnet, omphacite, quartz, amphibole, clinozoisite/epidote, minor phengite, paragonite, rutile and rare apatite. Prograde metamorphic evolution is indicated by garnet crystals zoned from Mn-rich cores to Mg-richer rims (typically (core→rim): Alm44→58 Prp1→12 Grs33→29 Sps22→1) and amphibole grains with glaucophane nuclei and Ca–Na-amphibole overgrowths that show sharp transitions, supporting evolution through a solvus, as predicted by the thermodynamic modelling. Modelling of the P–T conditions using the P–T pseudosection technique indicates a peak of metamorphism at about 620 ∘C and 16 kbar. The retrograde evolution of the metabasites is evidenced by the late formation of albite, titanite and ferro-actinolite. The surrounding mica schists, composed of quartz, garnet, phengite, paragonite and chlorite, were also largely retrogressed during exhumation. The orthogneiss of the SW part of the island does not show clear evidence of high-pressure metamorphism, since the magmatic feldspars are still preserved, similarly to the orthogneiss of Les Sables Rouges on the island of Groix. Île Dumet and the western part of the Vilaine estuary represent a blueschist-facies equivalent to Île de Groix (Brittany) and Bois-de-Céné (Vendée) on the mainland. All three occurrences occupy the centres of wide synforms whose concentric units are, from rims to core (i.e. from base to top), (a) a high-T migmatitic basement; (b) Cambro-Ordovician metasediments and acid metavolcanites (“porphyroids”); and (c) blueschist-facies mica schists and metabasites, serpentinites, and minor orthogneisses derived from a pre-Variscan oceanic accretionary prism. There are about 10 similar occurrences within the Ibero-Armorican Arc, forming a discontinuous high-pressure belt, but most of them have remained unnoticed due to a high degree of retrogression.

Relationship of single crystal growth and luminescence properties of Cr-doped gadolinium gallium garnet crystals for radiation dose-rate monitoring systems

For the decommissioning of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plants, a novel real-time dose-rate monitor consisting of a scintillator, 100-m long optical fiber and CCD spectrometer has been proposed, and this scintillation material is required to have an emission wavelength of longer than approximately 650 nm. In this paper, as a candidate material for the system, we focused on Ce/Cr co-doped Gd3Ga5O12 (Ce/Cr:GGG) single crystals grown by the micro-pulling down method. Since the light output of this material was expected to depend on the Cr3+ concentration, we investigated the relationship between Cr segregation and luminescence properties in Ce/Cr:GGG crystal. Generally, a single photon counting method is not available to evaluate its light output accurately due to the long decay time, we used a novel technique “emission-intensity two-dimensional- mapping method” (2D-image method) to verify the light intensity at each point of the sample. This method realized estimation of the light intensity within the sample, though segregation of Cr3+ is observed. The results showed that Cr was concentrated in the center part along the radial direction in the grown crystals, while all parts had an emission wavelength of approximately 730 nm excited by X-ray. Using the 2D-image method, emission intensity was found to correspond to the Cr concentration, and its correlation coefficients between emission intensity and Cr concentration were over 0.8. We found that our material is available for the monitoring system when the Cr dense part of the crystal is cut and used.