Intermediate products of Yb:YAG laser ceramics fabrication: structural features, morphology, and luminescent properties

Abstract

Fine-dispersed Yb:YAG nanopowders, which are intermediate products of the laser ceramics fabrication, were synthesized by polymer-salt method. The features of crystal structure, morphology, and luminescent properties of materials have been studied. The synthesized materials were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The role of different chemical additions on the formation of structure, morphology, and properties of intermediate Yb:YAG materials has been investigated. It was shown that the addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone to initial solutions leads to a decrease in the average size of forming YAG nanocrystals. The average size of nanocrystals increases with an increase in the temperature of synthesis. An increase in ytterbium concentration leads to a decrease in luminescence lifetime. The partial replacement of Y3+ by Gd3+ expands crystal lattice cells and increases the luminescence lifetime of Yb3+ ions. Silica coatings prevent further growth of Yb:YAG nanocrystals during thermal treatment.