Growth, structure and optical spectroscopic properties of dysprosia-doped cubic yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) single crystals

Single crystals of yttria stabilized zirconia (YSZ) doped with various dysprosia (Dy2O3) contents have been prepared by the optical floating zone method, and their structural, spectroscopic, and optical properties characterized. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns and Raman spectroscopy of powdered samples showed that all had a cubic structure, and single crystals exhibited optical emission transitions, 4F9/2→6HJ (J = 9/2, 11/2, 13/2 and 15/2) from the Dy3+ ion. The decay profiles for the 4F9/2 → 6H13/2 and 4F9/2 → 6H15/2 transitions decreased significantly with the higher Dy3+ concentrations; this is interpreted as mainly due to increased interactions between Dy3+ ions as their concentrations increased. This concentration quenching mechanism was investigated in detail, and the highest luminosity was observed with the single crystal with 0.5 mol% Dy2O3. The critical energy transfer distance was calculated as RC = 1.86 nm, and the chromaticity coordinate (CIE) for the yellow-orange emitted light was about (0.53, 0.45). Overall, these results indicate that YSZ: xDy2O3 single crystals are suitable for use as yellow lasers.