Bonding quality of Yb : Y3Al5O12/Y3Al5O12 composite crystals

The Yb:Y3Al5O12/Y3Al5O12 (Yb:YAG/YAG) composite crystals were prepared by thermal bonding method with different technological parameters. The bonding interface of the composite crystals were observed by optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, and atom force microscope. The light scattering experiments for bonding interface of the composite crystals were measured by the laser and transmission spectra. All experiments show that high-quality Yb:YAG/YAG composite crystals without space transition layer and light scattering on the bonding interface can be obtained by thermal bonding method under appropriate technological parameters.

Effects of doping lanthanide ions in YAG : Ce system on the spectral properties of Ce3+

(Y0.95Ln(0.01)Ce(0.04))(3)Al5O12 phosphors were synthesized by high-temperature solid state reaction under reducing atmosphere and the doping effects of lanthanide ions (Ln(3+)) on the luminescence properties of phosphors were studied. YAG: Ce, Ln spectra of excitation and emission show that the influence between Ce3+ and Ln(3+) can be divided into the following three types

Stimulated emission from distyrylbenzene derivative crystals grown by vapor

Narrowed spectra at 452 nm from a thin platelike crystal of distyrylbenzene derivative, 2,5-diphenyl-1,4-distyrylbenzene with two trans double bonds (trans-DPDSB) grown by vapor deposition, are observed. The trans-DPDSB crystal is irradiated by the third harmonic (355 nm) of a Nd:YAG laser. The FWHM of the narrowed spectra can reach 6 nm for the crystal when the pumping energy is 400 mu J/pulse. The threshold value for an optically pumped laser is approximately 350 mu J/pulse.

Spectral properties of rare-earth ions in nanocrystalline YAG : Re (Re = Ce3+, Pr3+, Tb3+)

Bulk and nanoscale powders of YAG:Re (Re = Ce, Pr, Tb) were synthesized by solid-state and sol-gel method. The changes of spectra and energy level were studied. Compared with the bulk YAG:Re (Re = Ce, Pr, Tb) crystals, the lattice parameter of YAG:Re (Re = Ce, Pr, Tb) nanocrystals decreases. It is also found that the excitation peaks of 5d energy levels shift in nanocrystals. The physical reason for spectral and energy level changes is a comprehensive result from the shift of energy centroid of the 5d orbit, the Coulomb interaction between 4f and 5d electrons and the crystal field splitting of the 5d energy level.

Resonant two-photon cross-section calculations for transitions to 4f5d state in Pr3+: YAG using density matrix theory

The density matrix resonant two-photon absorption (TPA) theory is applied to a rare-earth ion-doped laser crystal. TPA cross sections for transitions from the ground state to the first 4f5d state in Pr3+:YAG are calculated. The results indicate the density matrix TPA theory is attractive in studying TPA in laser crystals. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

SPECTRAL CHARACTERISTICS OF ER3+-ACTIVATED AND CE3+-SENSITIZED YTTRIUM-ALUMINUM-GARNET LASER CRYSTALS

We report in this paper the spectral characteristics of Er3+ (2 at.%)-activated and Ce3+ (0.3 at.%)-sensitized yttrium aluminium garnet (YAG:Er,Ce) laser crystals grown by the Czochralski technique. The absorption and emission spectra were measured at room temperature. By using absorption spectra and Judd-Ofelt theory the experimental oscillator strengths of the Er3+ transitions in the YAG:Er,Ce crystals were calculated. The energy transfer between the Er3+ and Ce3+ ions is also discussed.

Strong second harmonic generation in SiC, ZnO, GaN two-dimensional hexagonal crystals from first-principles many-body calculations

The second harmonic generation (SHG) intensity spectrum of SiC, ZnO, GaN two-dimensional hexagonal crystals is calculated by using a real-time first-principles approach based on Green's function theory [Attaccalite et al., Phys. Rev. B: Condens. Matter Mater. Phys. 2013 88, 235113]. This approach allows one to go beyond the independent particle description used in standard first-principles nonlinear optics calculations by including quasiparticle corrections (by means of the GW approximation), crystal local field effects and excitonic effects. Our results show that the SHG spectra obtained using the latter approach differ significantly from their independent particle counterparts. In particular they show strong excitonic resonances at which the SHG intensity is about two times stronger than within the independent particle approximation. All the systems studied (whose stabilities have been predicted theoretically) are transparent and at the same time exhibit a remarkable SHG intensity in the range of frequencies at which Ti:sapphire and Nd:YAG lasers operate; thus they can be of interest for nanoscale nonlinear frequency conversion devices. Specifically the SHG intensity at 800 nm (1.55 eV) ranges from about 40-80 pm V(-1) in ZnO and GaN to 0.6 nm V(-1) in SiC. The latter value in particular is 1 order of magnitude larger than values in standard nonlinear crystals.

Laser induced surface damage, thermal transport and microhardness studies on certain organic and semiorganic nonlinear optical crystals

N-alkyl-2,6-dimethyl-4(1H)-pyridinones, salts of 4-dimethylaminopyridine and 2-amino-5-nitropyridine are considered to be potential candidates for nonlinear optical (NLO) applications, in particular for the generation of blue-green laser radiation. Single crystals were grown following the slow evaporation technique at constant temperature. Single-shot laserinduced surface damage thresholds in the range 3–10 GW/cm2 were measured using a 18 ns Q-switched Nd:YAG laser. The surface morphologies of the damaged crystals were examined under an optical microscope and the nature of damage identified. The Vicker’s microhardness was determined at a load of 98.07 mN. The thermal transport properties, thermal diffusivity (α), thermal effusivity (e), thermal conductivity (K) and heat capacity (Cp), of the grown crystals were measured by an improved photopyroelectric technique at room temperature. All the results are presented and discussed.

AFM study of morphological changes associated with electrochemical solid--solid transformation of three-dimensional crystals of TCNQ to metal derivatives (metal= Cu, Co, Ni; TCNQ= tetracyanoquinodimethane)

In situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) allows images from the upper face and sides of TCNQ crystals to be monitored during the course of the electrochemical solid–solid state conversion of 50 × 50 μm2 three-dimensional drop cast crystals of TCNQ to CuTCNQ or M[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 (M = Co, Ni). Ex situ images obtained by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) also allow the bottom face of the TCNQ crystals, in contact with the indium tin oxide or gold electrode surface and aqueous metal electrolyte solution, to be examined. Results show that by carefully controlling the reaction conditions, nearly mono-dispersed, rod-like phase I CuTCNQ or M[TCNQ]2(H2O)2 can be achieved on all faces. However, CuTCNQ has two different phases, and the transformation of rod-like phase 1 to rhombic-like phase 2 achieved under conditions of cyclic voltammetry was monitored in situ by AFM. The similarity of in situ AFM results with ex situ SEM studies accomplished previously implies that the morphology of the samples remains unchanged when the solvent environment is removed. In the process of crystal transformation, the triple phase solid∣electrode∣electrolyte junction is confirmed to be the initial nucleation site. Raman spectra and AFM images suggest that 100% interconversion is not always achieved, even after extended electrolysis of large 50 × 50 μm2 TCNQ crystals.

Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of magnesium oxalate nano-crystals

Synthesis of MgC2O4⋅2H2O nano particles was carried out by thermal double decomposition of solutions of oxalic acid dihydrate (C2H2O4⋅2H2O) and Mg(OAc)2⋅4H2O employing CATA-2R microwave reactor. Structural elucidation was carried out by employing X-ray diffraction (XRD), particle size and shape were studied by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and nature of bonding was investigated by optical absorption and near-infrared (NIR) spectral studies. The powder resulting from this method is pure and possesses distorted rhombic octahedral structure. The synthesized nano rod is 80 nm in diameter and 549 nm in length.

Supramolecular selection in molecular and framework co-crystals

An ongoing challenge in chemistry and crystal engineering is the synthesis of functional materials with predictable structures and customisable properties. This may be achieved by crystallising mixtures of different compounds. Co-crystals formed through this method have predictable structures and their properties may be tuned by varying the ratio of the compounds in the crystallising solution. This thesis examines single crystals formed by the co-crystallisation of metal complexes that have similar structures but different physical or chemical properties. A variety of new compounds with interesting properties were prepared, characterised and their significance in the context of crystal engineering was explored.