Laser-induced crystallization of Co(II)-doped titania

Crystallization induced by continous laser irradiation at 514.5 nm on Co(II) doped titania prepared by the sol-gel process is reported. The crystallization kinetics is monitored in situ by Raman spectroscopy. It is found that the effect of Co(II) doping greatly reduces the power needed to crystallize the material as compared to pure titania. Consistently with this result, we have measured a red shift in the absorption edge upon addition of cobalt in pure titania.