Intense infrared luminescence in transparent glass-ceramics containing β-Ga₂O₃:Ni²⁺ Nanocrystals

Transparent glass-ceramics containing β-Ga₂O ₃:Ni²⁺ nanocrystals were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and electron energy loss spectroscopy. Intense broad-band luminescence centering at 1200 nm was observed when the sample was excited by a diode laser at 980 nm. The room-temperature fluorescent lifetime was 665 μs, which is longer than the Ni ²⁺-doped ZnAl₂O₄ and LiGa₅O ₈ glass-ceramics and is also comparable to the Ni²⁺-doped LiGa₅O₈ single crystal, The intense infrared luminescence with long fluorescent lifetime may be ascribed to the high crystal field hold by Ni²⁺ and the moderate lattice phonon energy of β-Ga ₂O₃. The excellent optical properties of this novel material indicate that it might be a promising candidate for broad-band amplifiers and room-temperature tunable lasers.