Sol–gel preparation and optical characterization of TbxY3−xAl5O12

Tb3+ doped Yttrium Aluminum Garnet (Tb: YAG) is a very promising optical material. This article reports synthesis of Tb doped YAG polycrystalline powder by sol–gel method. The sample was heat treated at different temperatures for characterization purpose. The powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Photoluminescence (PL) studies and Raman Spectroscopy. 5D4 → 7Fj transitions were observed due to presence of Tb3+ in the YAG structure. Phonon band and few inter manifold transitions in 7F6 and 7F5 have been observed. Raman active A1g, Eg, T2g modes have been successfully identified in the phonon band at room temperature Raman measurements.