Three-dimensional grain boundary spectroscopy in transparent high power ceramic laser materials.
Using confocal Raman and fluorescence spectroscopic imaging in 3-dimensions, we show direct evidence of inhomogeneous Nd(3+) distribution across grain boundaries (GBs) in Nd(3+):YAG laser ceramics. It is clearly shown that Nd(3+) segregation takes place at GBs leading to self-fluorescence quenching which affects a volume fraction as high as 20%. In addition, we show a clear trend of increasing spatial inhomogeneities in Nd(3+) concentration when the doping levels exceeds 3 at%, which is not detected by standard spectrometry techniques. These results could point the way to further improvements in what is already an impressive class of ceramic laser materials.
Ramirez
Mariola O
MO
Department of Materials Science and Engineering and Materials Research Institute, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA 16802, USA.
Wisdom
Jeffrey
J
Li
Haifeng
H
Aung
Yan L
YL
Stitt
Joseph
J
Messing
Gary L
GL
Dierolf
V
V
Liu
Zhiwen
Z
Ikesue
Akio
A
Byer
Robert L
RL
Gopalan
Venkatraman
V
D002516:Ceramics / Q000737:chemistry*; D007834:Lasers; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013696:Temperature