Synthesis and laser patterning of Bi-doped Y3Fe5O12 crystals in germanosilicate glasses

New germanosilicate glasses giving the crystallization of yttrium iron garnet Y3Fe5O12 (YIG) and Bi-doped YIG, 23Na2O-xBi2O3-(12−x)Y2O3-25Fe2O3-20SiO2-20GeO2 (mol%), are developed, and the laser-induced crystallization technique is applied to the glasses to pattern YIG and Bi-doped YIG crystals on the glass surface. It is clarified from the Mössbauer effect measurements that iron ions in the glasses are present mainly as Fe3+. It is suggested from the X-ray diffraction analyses and magnetization measurements that Si4+ ions are incorporated into YIG crystals formed in the crystallization of glasses. The irradiations (laser power: 32-60 mW and laser scanning speed: 7 μm/s) of continuous wave Yb:YVO4 fiber laser (wavelength: 1080 nm) are found to induce YIG and Bi-doped YIG crystals, indicating that Fe3+ ions in the glasses act as suitable transition metal ions for the laser-induced crystallization. It is suggested that YIG and Bi-doped YIG crystals in the laser irradiated part might orient. The present study will be a first step for the patterning of magnetic crystals containing iron ions in glasses.