Spectroscopic properties of vacancies and trap levels in Lu3Al5O12:Ce3+ crystals

In order to study the spectroscopic properties of vacancies and trap levels in Lu3Al5O12:Ce3+ (LuAG:Ce3+) crystal, the <111>-oriented LuAG:Ce3+ crystal grown in pure nitrogen atmosphere by Czochralski method was annealed in oxidizing atmosphere (air) and reducing atmosphere (H2+N2), respectively. The excitation and emission spectra of LuAG:Ce3+ crystal after different thermal annealing treatments were measured in the temperature range of 8−450 K, and the thermally stimulated luminescence curves of LuAG:Ce3+ crystal were characterized. It is found that the oxygen vacancies in LuAG:Ce3+ crystal are effectively eliminated through the annealing treatment in air and four trap levels are observed in as-grown LuAG:Ce3+ crystal with temperature position peaking at 110, 210, 325 and 475 °C, respectively.