Precipitate coarsening and self organization in erbium-doped silica

Abstract

The influence of heat treatment at and above (Formula presented) on thin erbium-rich silica layers embedded in silica has been studied experimentally by secondary ion-mass spectrometry and cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy. Redistribution of erbium atoms is observed at these temperatures, and formation of erbium-rich precipitates is seen to occur if the erbium concentration exceeds (Formula presented) at. %. These precipitates are observed to coarsen and subsequently dissolve with increasing annealing time. Moreover, self organization of precipitates has been observed in the form of layering of the precipitate ensemble. © 1999 The American Physical Society.