X-ray diffraction evidence of the single solid solution character of the mixed [TmxY1-x](3)Al5O12 crystalline phosphor

X-ray diffractometry measurements show evidence that the lattice constant i n the mixed crystal [TmxY1-x](3)Al5O12 follows Vegard's rule, leading to th e conclusion that these mixed crystals form a single solid solution for the whole rage of compositions with Tm3+ concentrations from x = 0% to x = 100 % at. In addition RBS and optical absorption spectra confirm that the Tm3ions are uniformly incorporated into the mixed crystals with concentrations close to the stoichiometric relative concentrations in weight of the corre sponding precursor oxides. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserv ed.