Effect of disordered structure and crystal defects on heat transfer behavior in Er:Yb: YCa4O(BO3)3 crystal.

Abstract The anomalous glasslike behavior of heat transfer in Er:Yb: YCa 4 O(BO 3) 3 crystal was explored by means of temperature dependence Raman scattering spectra and synchrotron radiation X-ray topography. Crystal samples were prepared by the Czochralski technique, and the corresponding thermal properties, including thermal expansion, specific heat and thermal conductivity were investigated. The temperature-dependent Raman scattering results indicate the frequencies of Raman peaks as a function of crystal temperature followed a linear dependency on crystal temperature with different slopes. Nevertheless, the temperature-dependent linewidths of different Raman peaks were inconsistent and complicated. The X-ray topography firstly revealed a core situated in the center of crystal. Surrounding the core, a number of other defects like striations and dislocations were observed. The existence of such defects can lead to phonon scattering, which will introduce complicated influence into heat transfer process. As a result, the anomalous behavior of heat transfer can be influenced by disordered structure and crystal defects. Graphical abstract From a new perspective, we investigated the anomalous glasslike behavior of heat transfer in Er:Yb:YCOB crystal by means of temperature dependence Raman scattering spectra and the synchrotron radiation X-ray topography. The inconsistent and complicated temperature dependences of the linewidths of different Raman peaks, indicates the complicated influences of the disordered structure and crystal defects on the phonon scattering processes. Image 1 Highlights • The glasslike behavior of heat transfer in Er:Yb:YCOB crystal was firstly studied. • A core structure in Er:Yb:YCOB crystal was clearly revealed by X-ray topography. • The temperature dependent Raman scattering of Er:Yb:YCOB was firstly analyzed. • Temperature dependences of the linewidths of different Raman peaks were analyzed. • Disorder structure and defects bring a glasslike behavior of heat transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]