Spectroscopy of optical centers of Eu 3+ ions in ZrO 2 -Gd 2 O 3 -Eu 2 O 3 crystals

Abstract The phase composition and features of the local environment of Eu 3+ ions for the concentration series of crystals (ZrO 2 ) 1-х-у (Gd 2 O 3 ) х (Eu 2 O 3 ) y (х = 0.027–0.33; y = 0.001) were investigated. The crystals were grown by directional melt crystallization with direct high-frequency heating in a cold container. X-ray phase analysis revealed that the crystals (ZrO 2 ) 1-х-у (Gd 2 O 3 ) х (Eu 2 O 3 ) y (х = 0.027–0.036; y = 0.001) are characterized by the presence of a t and t′ phases of the tetragonal crystal structure. The crystals (ZrO 2 ) 1-х-у (Gd 2 O 3 ) х (Eu 2 O 3 ) y (х = 0.08–0.33, y = 0.001) are characterized by the a cubic structure. The presence of four types of optical centers of Eu 3+ ions with different crystal environment in the nearest coordination spheres was revealed in crystals (ZrO 2 ) 1-х-у (Gd 2 O 3 ) х (Eu 2 O 3 ) y (x = 0.027–0.33; y = 0.001) by optical spectroscopic methods.