Erbium-Doped Lu₂O₃-MgO and Sc₂O₃-MgO IR-Transparent Composite Ceramics.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Solid-State Chemistry
• Optical Engineering

Background:

• Development of advanced infrared (IR)-transparent ceramics is crucial for optical applications.
• Erbium-doped oxides are promising for luminescence and IR transmission.
• Magnesium oxide (MgO) serves as a co-dopant to enhance ceramic properties.

Purpose of the Study:

• To synthesize novel IR-transparent ceramics based on erbium-doped Lu2O3-MgO and Sc2O3-MgO composites.
• To investigate the structural, optical, and luminescence properties of these composite ceramics.
• To evaluate their potential as matrices for optical devices.

Main Methods:

• Glycine-nitrate self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) for initial composite formation.
• Vacuum hot-pressing (VHP) for densification and achieving high transparency.
• X-ray diffraction (XRD) for structural analysis and density determination.
• Optical transmittance and luminescence spectroscopy for property evaluation.

Main Results:

• Successfully fabricated dense (>99.5% theoretical density) Er:Lu2O3-MgO and Er:Sc2O3-MgO composite ceramics.
• Achieved high IR transmittance: 84.5% at ~5 µm for Er:Lu2O3-MgO and 78.9% for Er:Sc2O3-MgO (1.5 mm thickness).
• Observed intense erbium ion luminescence in visible and IR regions.
• Measured 4I13/2 state lifetimes of 8.85 ms (Er:Lu2O3-MgO) and 5.7 ms (Er:Sc2O3-MgO) for 3% doping.

Conclusions:

• Er:Lu2O3-MgO and Er:Sc2O3-MgO composites are viable IR-transparent ceramic materials.
• These composites exhibit excellent optical properties and luminescence characteristics.
• They are promising host matrices for erbium-doped optical applications.