Abstract

The comparative study of X-ray luminescence of Nd³[ ions in YAG and other garnets(YSAG, YSGG, GGG, GSGG, GSFG) is reported. It is shown that in crystals without gadolinium the Nd³ emission in UV and visible ranges is due to the transitions from high energy ²F2_5/7 level ( 4.7 eV above the ground state ⁴I_9/2). Because of fast relaxation of high energy excitation over the ⁶P_7/2 level (~3.94 eV) of Gd³⁺ ions the Nd³⁺ luminescence in crystals containing gadolinium is observed from the ⁴D_3/2 and ²P_3/2 levels (~3.44 eV and 3.25 eV respectively). Because of the band gap is smaller in YSGG, compared with one in YAG and YSAG, and consequently, smaller energy gap between the exciton and ²F2_5/2 level, in YSGG: Nd temperature quenching of Nd³⁺ emission is occure at lower temperatures.

© 1991 Optical Society of America