Laser Synthesis of Cerium-Doped Garnet Nanoparticles

The application of a pulsed laser ablation technique for the generation of cerium-doped garnet nanoparticles in liquids is investigated. The morphological and optical properties of the obtained nanoparticles are demonstrated. Features introduced by the single crystals of Gd₃Al_2.4Ga_2.6O₁₂:Ce³⁺, Lu₃Al₅O₁₂:Ce³⁺, and Y₃Al_1.25Ga_3.75O₁₂:Ce³⁺ from which the nanoparticles are generated, as well as the parameters of a liquid media on the garnet nanoparticle generation are experimentally studied using TEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy methods. It is shown how the size, shape, and internal structure of the nanoparticles are related to the external laser ablation conditions, as well as to the laser melting processes of NPs in the colloidal solutions. This work provides important information about the generated nanoparticles, which can be used as building blocks for specially designed structures with predetermined optical properties.