Ion-photon emission under ion bombardment of garnet structures of different composition

• Optical emission spectra from ejected particles are studied during Ar+ ion bombardment of garnets.
• The emission spectra from yttrium aluminum garnet and yttrium iron garnet are analyzed.
• The difference in spectra from garnet and metals is explained the ejection of large complexes MemOn.

The main parameters of ion-photon emission (IPE) during bombardment of yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG – Y3Al5O12) with Ar+ ions were determined. An essential difference was found in the spectral composition of the emission from YAG in comparison with that of constituent metals (Al and Y). It was supposed that the difference in the spectra of IPE is due to the different contribution of processes of formation of excited particles ejected from solid during ion bombardment of garnet and metals. The analysis of IPE spectra for two garnets of different composition (YAG and yttrium iron garnet (YIG – Y3Fe5O12)) leads to the conclusion that the difference in the density of electronic states for YAG and YIG is responsible for the absence of excited yttrium particles ejected from YIG.