Growth and optical properties of Bi12 SiO20 single crystals doped with first row transition metal and aluminium

Bi12SiO20 single crystals co-doped with first row transition metals and aluminum were grown from the melt by the Czochralski technique. Optimal growth conditions for optically homogeneous crystals have been established. Dopant molar concentrations in the crystal were determined and segregation coefficients calculated. Transmission spectra were measured in the 0.38–0.85 μm range. It was established that adding Al to the melt bleached the crystals and blue-shifted the entire transmission spectrum. Doping with Cu produced a strong photochromic effect after daylight exposure, changing the crystal color from yellow to red.