Comparative study of the luminescence of Y3Al5O12 nanoceramics and single crystals under excitation by synchrotron radiation

Comparative investigation of the luminescent properties of Y3Al5O12 (YAG) nanoceramics with the properties of single crystals counterpart is performed under excitation by synchrotron radiation in the exciton range of YAG host. Analysis of the luminescent properties of such different crystalline forms of YAG allows us to conclude that the behavior of YAG nanoceramics is close to the properties of single crystal analogue with large content of YAl antisite defects (ADs). We also have found that the relative intensity of F+–AD coupled centers is significantly higher in YAG nanoceramics than that for single crystal counterpart. This presupposes the strong coupling of the antisite defects and oxygen vacancy-related centers in YAG nanoceramics, mainly at the boundaries of grains.

► Comparison of the luminescence properties of Y3Al5O12 nanoceramics and single crystals.
► Contribution of antisite defects and charged oxygen vacancies to intrinsic luminescence of Y3Al5O12 nanoceramics.
► Luminescence of excitons localized around different defects in Y3Al5O12 nanoceramics.