Phase separation in garnet solid solutions and its effect on optical properties

Abstract

Phase behavior is studied in erbium-doped Y3Al5O 12 (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+. © 2013 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.