Growth and spectral-luminescence characteristics of modified BGO crystals

Abstract The optically homogeneous colorless bismuth germanate Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) crystals (nominally pure and doped with Dy3+) were grown by Czochralski method along [1 1 1] directions. Optimal bulk crystallization rate was estimated for nominally pure crystals of 0.7 cm3/h and 0.1 cm3/h for doped materials. Influence of annealing conditions on BGO real structure and properties was shown. The colored (“reddish”) samples were obtained under special treatment. Absorption and IR luminescence spectra were measured for as-grown, annealed and doped samples. The peculiarities of colored BGO crystal and samples doped with Dy3+ ions were demonstrated.