Sol–gel thin film deposition and characterization of a new optically active compound: Er2Ti2O7

Abstract This paper reports on the first sol–gel thin film preparation of a new optically active compound: Er2Ti2O7 (ETO). Optical, microstructural and spectroscopic properties of ETO films annealed in a temperature range 300–1000°C are studied. This work shows that the porosity and microstructure of ETO films depend closely on the heat-treatment temperature. Photoluminescence (PL) has been observed for films heat-treated at 600°C or more. The PL decay appears strongly influenced by quenching effects. For thin films treated at 600°C, quenching is essentially due to the presence of hydroxyl groups. After heat-treatment at 800°C or more, quenching can be explained by the high concentration of erbium atoms and by their distribution in the ETO lattice.

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