Growth and spectroscopic characteristics of Yb : GSO single crystal

For the first time, a high optical quality 10 at.% Yb3+-doped gadolinium oxyorthosilicate laser crystal Gd2SiO5 (GSO) was grown by the Czochralski (Cz) method. The segregation coefficient of Yb3+ was studied by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES) method. The crystal structure has monoclinic symmetry with space group P2(1)/c; this was determined by means of an x-ray diffraction analysis. The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curves of Yb3+ ions in a GSO crystal at room temperature were also studied. Then, the spectroscopic parameters of Yb:GSO were calculated. The advantages of the Yb:GSO crystal include high crystal quality, quasi-four-level laser operating scheme, high absorption cross-sections and particularly broad emission bandwidth (similar to 72 nm). The results indicated that the Yb:GSO crystal seemed to be a very promising laser gain medium in diode-pumped femtosecond laser and tunable solid state laser applications when LD pumped at 940 and 980 nm.

Characteristics of large-sized ruby crystal grown by temperature gradient technique

Large ruby with the size of circle divide75 x 45 mm was grown by temperature gradient technique for the first time. Absorption spectrum was carried out in the range of 190-800 nm by spectrophotometer, and the concentration spatial distribution of Cr3+ in ruby was calculated from the absorption coefficient that based on the Beer-Lambert's Law. Cr3+ ions gradually increase alone both the growth axis and the radial direction. The shape and ingredient of the inclusions were measured by means of Leitz ride field microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Lane photos and X-ray omega scan show the good quality of as grown ruby. The optimized growth conditions were pointed out based on the observation. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characteristics and optical spectra of V : YAG crystal grown in reducing atmosphere

A V:YAG single crystal was grown by the temperature gradient technique (TGT) with graphite-heating elements. The as-grown crystal has different colorations of light green and yellow brown in different parts. Distribution of vanadium in three samples with different colorations was determined by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. From the absorption spectrum of the yellow-brown part with peaks at 370, 820 and 1320nm, we can deduce that the reducing atmosphere of carbon diffused from the heating elements can increase the concentration of tetrahedral V3+ ions and induce F color centers. All three samples exhibited light-green color after annealing in vacuum or H-2 atmospheres. In the vacuum annealing process, the V3+ ions in tetrahedral positions were enhanced through two methods: one method is the exchanging of octahedral V3+ and tetrahedral Al3+ ions in neighboring sites under thermal excitation, the other is that F color centers were thoroughly eliminated and the escaped free electrons could be captured by V ions with higher valance states to further improve the concentration of tetrahedral V3+ ions. Besides the two mechanisms, the H-2 annealing process greatly improved the V-tetra(3+) ions through the reduction effect of H-2. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Characteristics of polypyrrole (PPy) nano-tubules made by templated ac electropolymerization

Electrochemical alternating current (ac) method designed for the synthesis of polypyrrole (PPy) nano-tubule arrays is the topic of this paper. Two-step anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane is used as a template. The morphology of PPy nano-tubules is observed by SEM and discussed. FTIR spectra exhibit that the peaks of PPy nano-tubules shift compared to conventional PPy film. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Growth and spectroscopic characteristics of Yb : LPS single crystal

For the first time, a high optical quality Yb3+-doped lutetium pyrosilicate laser crystal Lu2Si2O7 (LPS) was grown by the Czochralski (Cz) method. The segregation coefficient of ytterbium ion in Yb:LPS crystal detected by the inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (TCP-AES) method is equal to 0.847. X-ray powder diffraction result confirms the C2/m phase monoclinic space group of the grown crystal and the peaks corresponding to different phases were indexed. The absorption and fluorescence spectra, as well as fluorescence decay lifetime of Yb3+ ion in LPS have been investigated. The absorption and fluorescence cross-sections of the transitions F-2(7/2) <-> F-2(5/2) of Yb3+ ion in LPS crystal have been determined. The advantages of the Yb:LPS crystal including high crystal quality, quasi-four-level laser operating scheme, high absorption cross-sections (1.33 x 10(-2) cm(2)) and particularly broad emission bandwidth (similar to 62 nm) indicated that the Yb:LPS crystal seemed to be a promising candidate used as compact, efficient thin chip lasers when LD is pumped at 940 and 980 nm due to its low-symmetry monoclinic structure and single crystallographic site. (c) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Luminescence characteristics of Yb3+, La3+ codoped yttrium oxide nanopowders

Luminescence characteristics of Yb3+, La3+ codoped yttrium oxide nanopowders were investigated. The grain size and the crystallinity of (Yb0.05Y0.90La0.05)(2)O-3 nanopowders increase with the increase of calcination temperature. The average grain size of the nanopowders calcined at 1100 degrees C is 66 nm and its cooperative up-conversion luminescence centered at 498 nm was detected due to nanometer size effect and perfect crystallinity. However, the cooperative up-conversion luminescence of (Yb0.05Y0.90La0.05)(2)O-3 transparent ceramics was not detected. (c) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Modelling analysis of influence of substrate surface defect on optical characteristics of single-layer coating

A simple and practical model is used to analyse the influence of substrate surface defect on the optical characteristics of a single-layer coating. A single-layer coating is prepared and its optical properties are fitted. Some explanations for the origin of the transition layer are presented. It is concluded that there is a transition layer forming between the substrate and coating, which is attributed to substrate surface defects, and its refractive index change is nearly of linearity.