International Workshop on Physics with Positrons at Jefferson Lab (JPos17)

Development of positron annihilation spectroscopy as a powerful tool for studying solarization phenomena and advancing transparent ceramics technology

Not scheduled

15m

Room F113 (CEBAF Center)

Poster

Speaker

Mr Sahil Agarwal (BGSU)

Description

Abstract Transparent ceramics are emerging as excellent candidates for many electro-optical applications such as solid-state lasers, optical window materials and scintillators. In this work, we apply positron annihilation spectroscopy for the first time to study transparent ceramics and its related interesting phenomena. Our recent work revealed a novel luminescence phenomenon in Ce doped yttrium aluminum oxide (Ce: YAG) transparent ceramics [Optical Materials Express, 7, 2017 (1056)] and interesting UV solarization in undoped YAG. By combining thermo-luminescence (TL) and positron annihilation spectroscopy (PAS) including positron lifetime and coincident Doppler broadening of positron annihilation, the role of grain boundaries and trap levels in triggering these phenomena was demonstrated. Furthermore, positron lifetime measurements illustrated detailed microstructural characteristics in YAG transparent ceramics beyond what have been imaged by high resolution transmission electron microscopy. This study indicates that PAS may play a crucial role in advancing transparent ceramics technology. We acknowledge receiving funds from NSF under DMR1359523 grant.