The luminescence of holmium doped cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia

The optical properties of holmium-doped cubic yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) single crystals synthesized by the skull method were investigated. In the absorption spectrum of YSZ:Ho samples, two typical features were observed: sharp lines in between 28,500 cm-1 and 15,000 cm-1, and broad, strong peaks at wavenumbers greater than 28,500 cm-1 to charge transfer transitions and transitions at oxygen vacancies. The luminescence spectrum of YSZ consisted of a low intensity, broad band with a maximum at 444 nm (22,523 cm-1). The luminescence was effectively excited only at wavelengths λexcitation<300 nm.