Structural and optical characterizations of YAG:Eu3+ elaborated by the sol–gel process

Sol–gel route has been successfully used to obtain pure Y3Al5O12 and Y3Al5O12:Eu3+ powders. The formation process, the structure as well as the microstructure of the materials were analyzed by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermal analysis (TG–TDA), infrared spectroscopy (IR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It has been shown that sol–gel derived YAG powders crystallize around 900 °C whereas a temperature much higher is necessary to obtain this compound by solid state synthesis (≈1500 °C). Laser induced luminescence spectra, as well as luminescence decays of Eu3+ ions show undoubtedly the spectral features of a Eu3+ emitting center embedded in a unique site of D2 symmetry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]