Single crystal fiber growth of cerium doped strontium yttrate, SrY2O4:Ce3+

First single crystal fibers of cerium doped strontium yttrate are fabricated using the laser-heated pedestal growth technique. Through thermodynamic equilibrium calculations and by high-temperature mass spectrometry suitable growth conditions can be determined. The atmosphere plays an important role during crystallization. It affects the composition shift, on the one hand, and the valence state of cerium, on the other hand. These properties can be explained by combining X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, and optical spectroscopy. Crystallization in slightly reducing nitrogen atmosphere proves to be a reasonable choice, because evaporation is suppressed and trivalent cerium is stabilized. Strong green emission that depends on the oxygen fugacity during crystallization can be excited using UV light. Optical transmission of SrY2O4:Ce3+ is measured for the first time.