Hole burning in YSZ:Pr3+ and YSZ:Eu3+ with various Y2O3 concentration

We have measured the hole spectra in YSZ: Pr3+ and YSZ: Eu3+ with various Y2O3 concentrations at low temperature. The temperature dependence of the hole width which obtained from the hole spectra in YSZ: Pr3+ and YSZ: Eu3+ was similar to that for disordered materials. However, the Y2O3 concentration dependence of the hole width in YSZ: Pr3+ was contrary to that for YSZ: Eu3+ at low temperature. The hole width was the widest in the case of YSZ: Pr3+ at 10 mol% Y2O3. On the contrary, it was the narrowest in the case of YSZ: Eu3+ at the same concentration of Y2O3. It was found that there are two states in YSZ, in which the degree of ordered differs from each other. Additionally, the Y2O3 concentration dependence of the hole width at low temperature has reflected the ionic conductivity of YSZ at high temperature. It is suggested that the ordering of local structure is responsible for the ionic conduction in YSZ. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.