YAG:Pr3+ transparent ceramics for applications in photonics: synthesis and characterization

Y3Al5O12 (YAG) transparent ceramics doped with Pr3+ have been obtained by vacuum sintering of spray dried commercial powders and characterized by XRD and SEM techniques. A comprehensive spectroscopic investigation has then been carried out including: absorption spectra and decay time measurements in the visible-IR spectral region and x-ray and VUV excitation and emission properties studied with synchrotron radiation. The main processes responsible for the excited states dynamics have been identified and characterized. Comparison with the properties of the single crystal reveals that the investigated material has interesting perspectives for applications in optics and photonics.