Crystal growth and spectroscopic characterization of Yb-doped and Yb, Na-codoped CaF2 laser crystals by TGT

High-quality 2at%-doped Yb:CaF2 and Yb,Na:CaF2 single crystals with diameter of 76mm were grown by the temperature gradient technique. For the first time, distribution coefficients (KO) of Yb in the two crystals were determined to be 1.07 and 0.91, respectively, by measuring the Yb concentrations at the growth starting position in the as-grown boules. Absorption and emission spectra of the two different crystals were measured at room temperature. Experimental results show that Na+ ions codoping with Yb3+ as charge compensators make Yb3+ ions in CaF2 lattice to be a quasi-single-center system, and greatly suppress the deoxidization of Yb3+ to Yb2+ (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

A comparison between TGT and Cz grown Nd : YAG

Large sized neodymium-doped Y3Al5O12 (Nd:YAG) laser crystals have been grown by temperature gradient technique (TGT) method and compared with Czochralski (Cz) method. The comparison of these two crystal growth methods has been listed. The results showed that the TGT method has many advantages over the Cz method. The concentration distribution of Nd ions in the crystals was determined and the absorption spectra of these crystals have been investigated and compared. The TGT grown highly doped Nd:YAG crystal has a larger absorption FWHM than that of Cz grown Nd:YAG crysral. Highly doped Nd:YAG (similar to 2.8 at. pct) crystals could be obtained by TGT.

Gamma-irradiation effects on Ce-doped YAG crystals grown by Cz and TGT method

Gamma-rays radiation effects on Ce:YAG crystals grown by Czochralski (Cz) and temperature gradient techniques (TGT) have been studied by means of optical absorption and luminescence spectra. Valence of Ce3+ ion changes during the gamma-ray irradiation process and this result indicates Ce4+ ion may exist in both Cz-Ce:YAG and TGT-Ce:YAG crystals. Thermally stimulated luminescence measurements reveal intense thermoluminescence peaks in gamma-irradiated Ce:YAG crystals and trap parameters were calculated by general-order kinetics expression. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Crystal and molecular structure of l-valyl-l-lysine hydrochloride

l-Valyl-l-lysine hydrochloride, C11N3O3H23 HCl, rystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2, with a = 5.438(5), b = 14.188(5), c = 9.521(5) Å, β= 95.38(2)° and Z = 2. The crystal structure, solved by direct methods, refined to R = 0.036, using full matrix least-squares method. The peptide exists in a zwitterionic form, with the N atom of the lysine side-chain protonated. The two γ-carbons of the valine side-chain have positional disorder, giving rise to two conformations, χ111= -67.3 and 65.9°, one of which (65.9°) is sterically less favourable and has been found to be less popular amongst residues branching at β-C. The lysine side-chain has the geometry of g− tgt, not seen in crystal structures of the dipeptides reported so far. Interestingly, χ32 (63.6°) of lysine side-chain has a gauche+ conformation unlike in most of the other tructures, where it is trans. The neighbouring peptide molecules are hydrogen bonded in a head-to-tail fashion, a rather uncommon interaction in lysine peptide structures. The structure shows considerable similarity with that of l-Lys-l-Val HO in conformational angles and H-bond interactions [4].

Effects of gamma-irradiation on Al2O3 crystals grown under reducing atmosphere

Gamma-ray irradiation-induced color centers in Al2O3 crystals grown by temperature gradient techniques (TGT) under a strongly reducing atmosphere were studied. The transition F+ -> F takes place during the irradiation process. Glow discharge mass spectroscopy (GDMS) and annealing treatments show that Fe3+ impurity ions are present in the crystals. A composite (F+-Fe3+) defect was presented to explain the origin of the 255 nm band absorption in the TGT-Al2O3 crystals. (C) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Growth, characterization and optical quality of CaF2 single crystals grown by the temperature gradient technique

The CaF2 single crystals with diameters up to 200 mm were successfully grown by modified temperature gradient technique (TGT), which are suitable for application as optical elements in the ultraviolet range. The optimizations of various growth parameters were systematically studied. Properties of as-grown CaF2 crystals were characterized by the nature of inclusions, dislocations, crystallinity, and impurities contents. The results showed that the dislocations and multinucleation were mostly constrained in the conical part of the crystals with the cylindrical parts having the best crystalline quality and lowest impurity contents. The high optical quality of TGT-grown CaF2 single crystals was also confirmed to have excellent optical transmission in 190-2500 nm and refractive index homogeneity. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

不同退火气氛下γ-LiAlO2形貌和结构研究

研究了温度梯度法生长的γ-LiAlO2晶体在1100℃下富Li气氛和空气中退火处理后的表面形貌、表面结构以及吸收光谱。发现γ-LiAlO2晶体的抛光面在1100℃空气中退火后变为粗糙面，X射线衍射(XRD)分析表明此粗糙面为单相的LiAl5O8。而γ-LiAlO2晶体的抛光面在1100℃富Li气氛中处理后几乎没有变化。同时对不同气氛下热处理的γ-LiAlO2晶体进行了光谱分析，确认了晶片中196nm的吸收峰是由Li空位引起的。

Efficient laser oscillation of Yb : Y3Al5O12 single crystal grown by temperature gradient technique

Low-threshold and highly efficient continuous-wave laser performance of Yb:Y3Al5O12 (Yb:YAG) single crystal grown by a temperature gradient technique (TGT) was achieved at room temperature. The laser can be operated at 1030 and 1049 nm by varying the transmission of the output coupler. Slope efficiencies of 57% and 68% at 1049 and 1030 nm, respectively, were achieved for 10 at. % Yb:YAG sample in continuous-wave laser-diode pumping. The effect of pump power on the laser emission spectrum of both wavelengths is addressed. The near-diffraction-limited beam quality for different laser cavities was achieved. The excellent laser performance indicates that TGT-grown Yb:YAG crystals have very good optical quality and can be potentially used in high-power solid-state lasers.

Low-threshold diode-pumped Yb3+, Na+: CaF2 self-Q-switched laser

For the first time to our knowledge, the laser performance of Yb3+, Na+-codoped CaF2 single crystals was demonstrated. Self-Q-switched laser operation at 1050nm was observed for 976 nm diode pumping at room temperature. On 5 W of incident power, the repetition rate and width of the self-Q-switched pulses reached 28 kHz and 1.5 mu s, respectively. A maximal slope efficiency of 20.3% and minimal threshold absorbed pump power of 30 mW were respectively achieved with different output couplers, showing the promising application of Yb3+, Na+-codoped CaF2 crystals as compact and efficient solid-state lasers. (C) 2005 Optical Society of America.

钛宝石中子辐照色心的研究

研究了中子辐照下钛宝石单晶体缺陷的形成及光学性能的变化。对温度梯度法(TGT)生长的钛宝石晶体进行中子辐照。中子能量为1．5MeV，剂量为4．32×10^18 neutrons／cm^2。辐照后194nm吸收峰强度增加,268nm吸收峰强度则降低。荧光谱检测中发现辐照使得420nm荧光峰强度明显降低，荧光峰位置也蓝移至414nm处。分析表明辐照使得钛宝石晶体内形成F^+缺陷，同时Ti^4+离子则转化成Ti^3+离子。辐照后的钛宝石在247C处有热释光TL出现，通过初始上升法计算出其陷阱深度为0．63eV。

蓝宝石中子辐照色心的研究

研究了中子辐照对蓝宝石(α-Al2O3)单晶体缺陷形成及光学性能的影响，对采用提拉法与温度梯度法生长的蓝宝石晶体进行中子辐照，通过对比辐照前后的吸收及荧光光谱变化，发现辐照使得蓝宝石晶体内形成F、F^+和F2^+色心缺陷，但不同方法生长的晶体样品中色心浓度差异明显。其中提拉法样品的F心浓度要高于温度梯度法样品，而温度梯度法样品中F^+色心浓度要高于提拉法样品。分析表明，这与两种方法生长的晶体中杂质含量差异有关。通过研究辐照后晶体的热致发光谱发现提拉法与温度梯度法生长的蓝宝石晶体分别在145℃与150℃有明

Yb掺杂的YAlO<3/sub>单晶体的温梯法生长和光谱性能

The dark-brown colored 5 at% Yb-doped YAlO3 (Yb:YAP) single crystal was grown successfully by temperature gradient technique (TGT) for the first time. The TGT-grown Yb:YAP crystal with the perovskite structure and excellent crystallization perfection were confirmed by the X-ray diffractions techniques. The dark-brown color of TGT-Yb:YAP crystal turned into the colorless after annealing in the air at 1200 degrees C for 10h. The absorption spectra, LD-excited infrared emission and X-ray excited luminescence spectra of the air-annealed Yb:YAP single crystal were investigated at the room temperature. The results indicate that the TGT-Yb:YAP single crystals can be used for the laser and scintillation applications. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

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.

Effect of air annealing on the spectral properties of Ce : Y3Al5O12 single crystals grown by the temperature gradient technique

Five absorption hands, at 227, 300 340, 370 and 457nm, were observed in the optical absorption spectrum of Ce:Y3Al5O12 (Ce:YAG) crystals grown by the temperature gradient technique (TGT). The absorption bands at 227, 340, and 457 nm were identified Lis belonging to the Ce3+ -ion in the YAG crystal. A near UV optical emission band at 398nm was observed. with an excitation spectrum containing two bands, at 235 and 370nm. No fluorescence was detected under 300 nm excitation. The pair of absorption bands at 235 and 370 nm and the absorption band at 300 nm were attributed to the F- and F+-type color centers, respectively. The color centers model was also applied to explain the spectral changes in the Ce:YAG (TGT) crystal, including the reduction in the Ce 31 -ion absorption intensity, after annealing in an oxidizing atmosphere (air). (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.