Visible and IR luminescence of complex centers created by thermo-optical treatment in anion-deficient corundum

• Published in: Radiation measurements 2019-03, Vol.122, p.80-83
• Main Authors: Milman, I.I., Surdo, A.I., Sarychev, M.N., Abashev, R.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Anion-deficient corundum; Formation of complex defects; Optical absorption; Photoluminescence; Thermo-optical treatment; Vibronic structure
• ISSN: 1350-4487; 1879-0925
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radmeas.2019.01.015

To verify the possibility of creating complex centers in anion-deficient corundum crystals (α-Al2O3-δ) by special thermo-optical treatment, optical absorption (OA) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra have been studied at nitrogen and helium temperatures. At low temperatures, the OA and PL bands recorded in the visible and near infrared (NIR) regions displayed zero-phonon lines and phonon-assisted lines. Their comparison with analogous OA and PL bands in neutron-irradiated stoichiometric α-Al2O3 samples revealed full similarity between their vibronic structures. These findings are additional evidence to support the possibility of generating non-radiatively in α-Al2O3-δ complex centers emitting in the visible and NIR regions. The results of the study will enable the applications of corundum detector and laser technologies to be extended. •Thermo-optical treatment (TOT) can create complex centers in α-Al2O3-δ.•Complex centers created by TOT and neutron irradiation in corundum are similar.•Absorption and luminescence bands of these centers have vibronic structures at T ≤ 80 K.•New opportunities of complex centers creation extend applications of corundum.