Structure and photoluminescence properties of Ba2TiSi2O8 glass ceramics prepared by aerodynamic levitation

Spherical Ba2TiSi2O8 (BTS) and Dy3+-doped BTS glass were prepared by aerodynamic levitation. The glass prepared by aerodynamic levitation demonstrated enhanced glass stability. The crystallization rate of the levitated sample was slower than that of the conventional melt-quenched glass. When the heat treatment temperature was increased, the lattice parameter, a, of the nanocrystalline BTS crystal formed in the glass decreased, but the lattice parameter, c, increased. This was mainly due to the crystallization-induced stress during the crystallization process. Nanocrystallized Dy3+-doped BTS glass exhibited yellow (575 nm), red (669 nm), and blue (484 nm) luminescence. The intensities of all emission peaks increased with increasing heat-treatment temperature due to the increased crystallization of BTS crystals. Nanocrystallized BTS glass ceramic prepared by aerodynamic levitation is potentially useful for optical devices, such as visible semiconductor lasers, optical switches, and amplifiers.