Rare earth ion diffusion in AgBr crystals

The luminescence of silver bromide crystals doped with rare earth ions (Nd3 + and Er3+) was investigated in the visible and near infrared spectral rang es. Crystal doping was produced by growing in the melt and by a diffusion m ethod. The diffusion profile of rare earth ions in AgBr crystals was measur ed by the luminescence method. The luminescence parameters of AgBr crystals doped by the diffusion method were compared with those for crystals doped by adding Nd3+ and Er3+ to the melt. Two processes in rare earth ion transp ort were observed and explained by two different diffusion mechanisms. High values of the diffusion coefficient for rare earth ions in AgBr crystals m akes it possible to prepare doped crystals of high optical duality. These w ould be suitable for investigating possible laser action in these materials . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.