ABSORPTION AND EMISSION-SPECTRA OF YTTRIA-STABILIZED ZIRCONIA AND MAGNESIUM-OXIDE

We have investigated the luminescence and absorption spectra of doped and undoped ZrO//2-Y//2O//3 and MgO crystals at room- and low temperatures. The crystals used are partly doped with the transition metals Ni, Co, Cr and the rare earth Pr. The emission spectra were obtained under laser excitation at different wavelengths. The observed optical emission and absorption bands of the MgO crystals doped with Ni, CO and Cr correspond to transitions between spin-orbit split crystal field levels of the transition metals. The emission spectra of the doped yttria-stabilized zirconia obtained under various laser excitations can be explained by an energy transfer process between the color center and the doping materials. The influence of annealing on the absorption and emission of Pr**3** plus /Pr**4** plus is investigated.