Gamma-ray irradiation effect on the absorption and luminescence spectra of Nd:GGG and Nd:GSGG laser crystals

Laser crystals Nd3+:Gd3Ga5O12 (Nd:GGG) and Nd3+:Gd3Sc2Ga3O12 (Nd:GSGG) were grown by Czochralski method. The influence of gamma-ray irradiation on their absorption and luminescence spectra has been investigated. Two additional absorption (AA) bands induced by gamma-ray irradiation appear in the spectra of Nd:GGG crystal while only a very weak AA band appears for the Nd:GSGG crystal. This indicated that Nd:GSGG crystal has stronger ability to resist the color center formation by irradiation. The intensity of the excitation and emission spectra of Nd:GGG crystal decrease after the irradiation of 100 Mrad gamma-ray. In contrast, a luminescence strengthening effect was observed in Nd:GSGG crystal after exposure to the same irradiation dose. The results showed that the Nd:GSGG crystal is a promising candidate used under radiation environments such as in outer space.