Synthesis, structural and optical studies of sol–gel Gd2O3:Eu3+, Tb3+ films

Eu3+ and Tb3+ co-doped Gd2O3 films were elaborated by sol–gel process and dip-coating technique. The films were synthesized by hydrolysis of gadolinium pentanedionate. A homogeneous and stable sol was obtained by the reaction with acetylacetone. Gd2O3:Eu3+, Tb3+ films were crystallized around 500 °C; at an increase of temperature up to 700 °C, oriented growth of (4 0 0) face was observed. The obtained transparent Gd2O3: 2.5 at.% Eu3+, 0.005 at.% Tb3+ waveguide films at 700 °C display significant optical properties. Different crystallographic properties can be obtained in Gd2O3:Eu3+, Tb3+ films with varying sintering temperatures.