Temperature dependence of the luminescence spectra of garnet crystals doped with chromium ions

We have investigated the spectral behavior of a number of garnet crystals doped with chromium ions in a range of temperatures from 25 to 800 K. The crystals we considered are, in order of decreasing crystalline field, Y3Al5O12 (YAG), Gd3Ga5O12 (GGG) and Gd3Sc2Ga3O12 (GSGG). By investigating their luminescence spectra, including their vibronic spectra, over a very broad range of temperatures, we attempt to obtain a fuller picture of the processes following excitation.