Temperature dependence of the luminescence spectra of garnet crystals doped with chromium ions

We have investigated the spectral behavior of a number of garnet crystals doped with chromium ions in a range of temperatures from 25 to 800 K. The crystals we considered are, in order of decreasing crystalline field, Y 3Al5O12 (YAG), Gd3Ga5O12 (GGG) and Gd3Sc2Ga3O12 (GSGG). By investigating their luminescence spectra, including their vibronic spectra, over a very broad range of temperatures, we attempt to obtain a fuller picture of the processes following excitation. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.