The micro-pulling-down growth of Eu3+-doped Y3Al5O12 and Y3ScAl4O12 crystals for red luminescence.

We report on the comparative growth and spectroscopy of Eu3+-doped Y 3 Al 5 O 12 (YAG) and Y 3 ScAl 4 O 12 crystals grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. The structure of the as-grown crystals was determined by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. The absorption spectra of the crystals are dominated by a strong line centered at 395 nm, matching well with the emission of commercial ultraviolet laser diodes. The Eu:YAG and Eu:Y 3 ScAl 4 O 12 crystals exhibit strongest red emission centered at 710 nm and the full width at half maximum (FWHM) was calculated to be 2.03 and 3.19 nm, respectively. The fluorescence decay curves of 5D 0 levels were measured and discussed. All the results indicate that the Eu:YAG and Eu:Y 3 ScAl 4 O 12 crystals are promising candidates for red luminescent/laser materials. • Eu:YAG and Eu:Y 3 ScAl 4 O 12 crystals were successfully grown by the micro-pulling-down technique for the first time. • The structure parameters of Eu:YAG and Eu:Y 3 ScAl 4 O 12 crystals were investigated by XRD. • Spectral parameters of Eu:YAG and Eu:Y 3 ScAl 4 O 12 crystals were obtained and compared. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]