Light-induced and holographic properties of ruthenium and manganese co-doped Bi4Ge3O12 crystals

• Published in: Journal of optics (2010) Vol. 12; no. 7; p. 075601
• Main Authors: Lin, S H, Marinova, V, Lin, Y C, Petrova, D, Chou, W C, Hsu, K Y
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Philadelphia, Pa IOP Publishing 01.07.2010; IOP
• Subjects: Absorption spectra; BGO (crystal); Crystal defects; Crystals; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Hologram recording and read-out methods; Holography; Manganese; Optics; Photoluminescence; Physics; Recording; Spectra; Photosensitivity; Photoluminescence; Holography; Doped materials; Step method; Photoinduced effect; Dark conductivity; photochromic effect; Holographic recording; Optical properties; Ultraviolet excitation; Absorption spectra; Defect structure; Thermal annealing; Codoping; Manganese
• ISSN: 2040-8986; 2040-8978; 2040-8986
• DOI: 10.1088/2040-8978/12/7/075601

The effect of Ru + Mn co-doping on the light-induced properties of Bi4Ge3O12 (BGO) crystals is studied and compared with single Ru- and Mn-doped crystals. Optical absorption spectra of Ru + Mn co-doped crystal demonstrates a photosensitivity shift to the visible spectral range. In addition, a strong photochromic effect, being fully reversible by thermal annealing is observed. It is verified by photoluminescence emission that charge traps could be manipulated under ultraviolet (UV) excitation, as the photoluminescence intensity decreases revealing the existence of the state filling effect. Ru + Mn doping leads to a faster response time during holographic recording at 633 nm and a prolonged read-out process, especially after a preliminary exposure to UV light. The ability to modify the defect structure and corresponding absorption bands suggests the future potential for optical fixing using a two-step sensitization method.