title: Phase separation in garnet solid solutions and its effect on optical properties.
abstract: Phase behavior is studied in erbium-doped Y3 Al5 O12 (YAG) garnets synthesized by solid-state reactions. High resolution synchrotron XRD and SEM-EDX studies reveal phase separation at an erbium content between 8 and 50 at%, depending upon the processing conditions. Similar results are found in closely-related garnet systems. The phase separation has a striking effect on the optical properties of YAG:Er(3+) .
authors.affiliation: Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, Cambridge University, Pembroke street, CB2 3QZ, UK.
authors.forename: Shakiba
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kaveh
authors.forename: Clément P
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Tremblay
authors.forename: Nurhakimah
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Norhashim
authors.forename: Richard J
authors.initials: RJ
authors.lastname: Curry
authors.forename: Anthony K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Cheetham
keywords: erbium-doped YAG; phase separation; photoluminescence; solid-state synthesis