Preparation, Characterization and Magneto-Optical Properties of Sm-Doped Y2O3 Polycrystalline Material
Andrzej Kruk1, Krzysztof Ziewiec1
1Institute of Technology, Pedagogical University of Krakow, Ul. Podchorążych 2, 30-084 Kraków, Poland.
Micromachines
|December 23, 2022
Summary
Pure and samarium-doped yttria transparent ceramics were synthesized using arc plasma melting. These materials exhibit promising optical and magneto-optical properties for advanced optics devices.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Solid State Physics
- Optoelectronics
Background:
- Yttria (Y2O3) is a key material for optical applications due to its high transparency and thermal stability.
- Doping with rare-earth elements like samarium (Sm) can modify optical and magneto-optical properties.
- Arc plasma melting offers a route to synthesize high-quality transparent ceramics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the physicochemical, optical, and magneto-optical properties of pure and Sm-doped Y2O3 transparent ceramics.
- To evaluate the potential of these materials for use in optical devices.
- To understand the influence of Sm doping on the electronic band structure and Verdet constant.
Main Methods:
- Synthesis of Y2O3 and Sm-doped Y2O3 powders via solid-state reaction.
- Fabrication of transparent ceramics using arc plasma melting.
- Characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).
- Optical absorption spectroscopy to determine the optical band gap.
- Luminescence spectroscopy and magneto-optical measurements (Verdet constant).
Main Results:
- High transparency achieved for both pure and Sm-doped Y2O3 ceramics.
- XRD and SEM confirmed the crystalline structure and morphology.
- Optical band gap was determined from absorption spectra.
- Visible luminescence bands were observed upon UV excitation.
- A maximum Verdet constant of approximately 24.81 deg/T cm was measured at 405 nm, decreasing with increasing wavelength.
Conclusions:
- Arc plasma melting is effective for producing transparent Y2O3 and Sm-doped Y2O3 ceramics.
- Sm doping influences the optical and magneto-optical properties.
- The observed luminescence and magneto-optical effects suggest potential applications in optical devices, particularly those requiring Faraday rotation.
