Ion-beam induced luminescence and damage of Er2O3

Abstract

Ion-beam induced luminescence of sintered Er2O3 samples irradiated by Ar+ ion-beams was measured in a visible range. In this experiment, three emission bands were observed at 500-520, 540-570, and 640-690 nm. The measured luminescence band at 640-690nm is resolved into Lorentzian Stark component having a ~ 1012 Hz width in frequency. Center wavelengths of the Stark components agree with those of intra-4f transitions of Er3+ (4f11) ions situated at C2 symmetry cation sites in pure Er2O3. However, resonance broadening due to nearby Er3+ in the crystal accounts only 1% of the total width. Depopulation of the crystalline oxide in irradiated regions is inferred from decreasing intensity of the emission band at 640-690nm during continuous irradiation. The emission bands at 500-520 and 540-570nm still remained in heavily damaged samples look similar with those observed with a metallic Er target. © 2012 The Japan Society of Plasma Science and Nuclear Fusion Research.