JCJC SIMI 9 - JCJC : Sciences de l'information, de la matière et de l'ingénierie : Sciences de l'ingénierie, matériaux, procédés, énergie

Rare-Earth SesquiOxide siNgle crystAl growTh by the flux mEthod – RESONATE

Submission summary

The RESONATE project aims at developing laser-grade rare-earth cubic sesquioxides (hereafter called RESO or cRE2O3 : of composition Y2O3, Gd2O3, Lu2O3) single crystals doped with rare-earth (RE) ions, like Yb3+. Recent studies on cRE2O3 single crystals and ceramics have demonstrated the laser potential of these materials and highlighted the extreme thermodynamic conditions under which their growth takes place (very high powders and gases purities, very high temperatures, H2-containing gas mixtures to slow down the expensive Re crucible dissolution). The RESONATE project proposes to develop a cheap, simple, reliable and safe crystal growth process of these materials by the widely spread flux method, using an original and non toxic solvent and growth setup design operative in air and at half the melting temperature of RESO. Obviously, such a growth process has an edge over other traditional and classical methods and we believe that RESONATE will make it mature very rapidly.
Yb3+-doped cRE2O3 single crystals will allow for the determination of the basic spectroscopic and laser parameters necessary to understand and optimize the laser performances of the various cRE2O3-based solid-state laser cavities (high-power and ultrafast lasers based on Yb3+-doped materials). To achieve this goal, the RESONATE project will particularly rely on single crystal spectroscopic and laser studies, for which the Institut d’Optique of Palaiseau has accepted to join the project.
The RESONATE project, structured in three interdependent scientific tasks, requires the recruitment of a post-doctoral fellow, for the last two years of the project, for the growth and characterizations of Yb3+-doped cRE2O3 single-crystals. By associating this post-doctoral fellow with four young researchers and engineers well-versed in crystal growth techniques, crystallographic characterizations and physical properties measurements, and with two engineer-assistants of outstanding craftmanship, the RESONATE project possesses the relevant knowledge, know-how and manpower that will allow for its success. The fact that ALPhA-Route des Lasers has given its seal of approval to the RESONATE project may be looked upon as an indication of its reliability. In addition, as the RESONATE participants are permanent staff of the ICMCB, the RESONATE research team and the approaches developed within are very likely to be perpetuated. The post-doctoral research fellow will benefit from scientific and technical environments absolutely unique in France. As a matter of fact, the 250 m2 crystal growth national facility “CGNF” project has been awarded in february 2009 the quality label of the two complementary and closely interlinked organizations the ICMCB belongs to, namely the Scientific Groupment Interest (GIS “Advanced Materials in Aquitaine”) and the Materials and Systems Institute of Bordeaux (MIB Carnot Institute).

Project coordination

Matias Velazquez (CNRS - DELEGATION AQUITAINE LIMOUSIN) – matias.velazquez@icmcb-bordeaux.cnrs.fr

The author of this summary is the project coordinator, who is responsible for the content of this summary. The ANR declines any responsibility as for its contents.

Partner

ICMCB CNRS UPR 9048 CNRS - DELEGATION AQUITAINE LIMOUSIN

Help of the ANR 194,970 euros
Beginning and duration of the scientific project: - 36 Months

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