Preparation, characterization and photoluminescent studies of Cr and Nd co-doped Ce:YAG compounds

Sol-gel autocombustion as an efficient method in the preparation of monophasic Cr and Nd co-doped Ce:YAG compounds has been demonstrated. A reduction in the formation temperature to 1000 °C as compared to the classical ceramic method has been effectively shown. Monophasic formation of the compounds has been confirmed from the X-ray diffraction study which is equally supported by the Raman spectroscopy. The TEM analysis confirms the formation of submicron sized particles (around 100 nm) which are equally supported by SEM micrographs revealing the granular morphology for the compounds. Photoluminescence (excitation) studies carried out for the compounds at 468, 341 and 685 nm display excellent emission intensity for the compounds with similar emission pattern pointing towards a common emission centre in all the three cases. Decrease in Ce3+ emission intensity for the Cr and Nd co-doped Ce:YAG is observed. Energy transfer mechanism is suggested for the lowering of emission intensity confirming the activity of Ce3+ as a sensitizer.