Spectral properties of rare-earth ions in nanocrystalline YAG:Re (Re=Ce3+, Pr3+, Tb3+)

Bulk and nanoscale powders of YAG:Re (Re=Ce, Pr, Tb) were synthesized by solid-state and sol–gel method. The changes of spectra and energy level were studied. Compared with the bulk YAG:Re (Re=Ce, Pr, Tb) crystals, the lattice parameter of YAG:Re (Re=Ce, Pr, Tb) nanocrystals decreases. It is also found that the excitation peaks of 5d energy levels shift in nanocrystals. The physical reason for spectral and energy level changes is a comprehensive result from the shift of energy centroid of the 5d orbit, the Coulomb interaction between 4f and 5d electrons and the crystal field splitting of the 5d energy level.