Site-selective laser spectroscopy of Nd3+ ions in 0.8CaSiO3-0.2Ca3(PO4)2 biocompatible eutectic glass-ceramics.

In this work we report the influence of the crystallization stage of the host matrix on the spectroscopic properties of Nd 3+ ions in biocompatible glass-ceramic eutectic rods of composition 0.8CaSiO3- 0.2Ca3(PO4)2 doped with 1 and 2 wt% of Nd2O3. The samples were obtained by the laser floating zone technique at different growth rates between 50 and 500 mm/h. The microstructural analysis shows that a growth rate increase or a rod diameter decrease leads the system to a structural arrangement from three (two crystalline and one amorphous) to two phases (one crystalline and one amorphous). Electron backscattering diffraction analysis shows the presence of Ca2SiO4 and apatite-like crystalline phases. Site-selective laser spectroscopy in the 4