Luminescent Dy3+ and Dy3+/Cr3+ doped transparent Al2O3 ceramics: Microstructure and optical properties

Highly transparent Dy3+ and Dy3+/Cr3+ polycrystalline alumina ceramics were prepared with the real in-line transmittance (RIT) up to 55% (at lambda = 632 nm), one of the highest values reported for luminescent rare-earth elements doped alumina. The RIT of doped alumina decreased more sharply with increasing mean grain size than predicted by the models for pure alumina. Co-doping with Dy3+ and Cr3+ resulted in a moderate increase of the RIT, which was independent on grain size. EDX analysis revealed that dysprosium segregated at grain boundaries and chromium was dispersed throughout the alumina matrix. A thermodynamic model for diffusion of multiple species in systems with multiple sorts of traps was proposed. The photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra of Dy3+-doped alumina showed peaks characteristic for Dy3+-doped materials. In co-doped Dy3+/Cr3+ alumina, Dy3+ emitted in the blue and yellow regions and Cr3+ in the red region, creating a suitable combination for obtaining white light.