Spectroscopy of optical centers of Eu3+ ions in ZrO2-Gd2O3-Eu2O3 crystals

The phase composition and features of the local environment of Eu3+ ions for the concentration series of crystals (ZrO2)1-х-у(Gd2O3)х(Eu2O3)y (х = 0.027-0.33; y = 0.001) were investigated. The crystals were grown by directional melt crystallization with direct high-frequency heating in a cold container. X-ray phase analysis revealed that the crystals (ZrO2)1-х-у(Gd2O3)х(Eu2O3)y (х = 0.027-0.036; y = 0.001) are characterized by the presence of a t and t′ phases of the tetragonal crystal structure. The crystals (ZrO2)1-х-у(Gd2O3)х(Eu2O3)y (х = 0.08-0.33, y = 0.001) are characterized by the a cubic structure. The presence of four types of optical centers of Eu3+ ions with different crystal environment in the nearest coordination spheres was revealed in crystals (ZrO2)1-х-у(Gd2O3)х(Eu2O3)y (x = 0.027-0.33; y = 0.001) by optical spectroscopic methods.