Spectroscopic characterization of photoinduced Mn5+ ions in YAlO3

We have spectroscopically studied the photoinduced color center in Mn:YAlO3 , the promising material for holographic data storage. We have proved that grayish-bluish coloration in photoexposed Mn:YAlO3 is due to Mn5+ ions in o ctahedral sites. We assign the main features observed in the absorption and emission spectra of photodarkened Mn:YAlO3 to the T-1(2)(t(2)(2)), T-3(2)( t(2)e), T-3(1)(t(2)e), (1)A(1)(t(2)(2)), and (3)A(2)(e(2)) excited states o f Mn5+. We show that Mn5+ ions can be stabilized in Mn:YAlO3 codoped with C a ions and in the crystals grown in reducing atmosphere and subsequently an nealed in air at 310-460 degrees C.