Influence of Lu content on (LuxGd1-x)2SiO5 oxyorthosilicates grown by Laser Floating Zone: Structural studies and transparency.

Graphical abstract Highlights • Lutetium gadolinium oxyorthosilicates (LGSO) produced by Laser Floating Zone (LFZ). • High growth rate in air of LGSO ((Lu x Gd 1-x) 2 SiO5, x = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5) single crystal. • Transparency and energy transfer band intensity tailored by the Lu/Gd amount. Abstract Lutetium gadolinium oxyorthosilicates (LGSO, (Lu x Gd 1-x) 2 SiO 5 , x = 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5)) were obtained by the Laser Floating Zone (LFZ) in air at 10 mm/h, much faster than those produced by the standard Czochralski method. The LGSO fibres were structural and optically characterized. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS) allowed observing homogeneous monophasic crystalline fibres that obey the expected phase transition from P2 1 /c to C2/c monoclinic structures, as revealed by X-Ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy. Finally, transmission studies in the near UV to visible range allowed to quantify the transmission and to appraise the presence of energy transfer bands that favor their use as host materials in photonic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]