Optical Properties of Irradiated Yttrium Aluminum Garnet

The results of investigation of the photoluminescence (PL) and optical absorption of crystals Y3Al5O12(YAG) doped with different concentrations of manganese ions exposed to fast neutron irradiation and electron irradiation are presented. Photoluminescence spectra of YAG before neutron irradiation at T=80 K contain fine lines in orange region of spectrum, ascribed to Mn2+ ions in octahedral position. After irradiation band broadening is observed in the luminescence spectra of garnet crystals. Electron irradiation produced broad band with a complex structure related to Mn4+ ions. Exchange interaction between radiation defect and impurity ions during neutron irradiation and electron irradiation leads to appearance of additional lines and luminescence bands broadening in investigated crystals.