Effects of isostatic oxygen pressure on the crystal growth and optical properties of undoped and Er3+-doped Ca-3(VO4)(2) single-crystal fibres

The influence of the isostatic oxygen pressure as a crystal growth atmosphe re on the optical and structural properties of undoped and erbium-doped cal cium orthovanadate single-crystal fibres was studied by optical absorption, photoluminescence, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis and X-ray powder diffr action techniques. Relationships between the oxygen pressure used during th e crystal growth and some optical and structural parameters are established , Through an oxygen vacancy model the effects of the crystal growth conditi ons on the physical properties of the material are inferred. Copyright (C) 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.