Preparation of Submicron and Micron Size Cr (IV) Optical Composites
Sol - gel technology is used to prepare sub-micron to micron size particles of Chromium (IV) doped materials. These materials show strong luminescence, as single crystals, in the 1-2 μm range. Such materials include; Cr (IV): (Ca 2 GeO 4 , Mg 2 SiO 4 , LiScGeO 4 ). The optically active particles are dispersed into glassy matrixes to form optical composites. Ongoing research is aimed at, a) reducing the size and the size distribution of the optically active particles, and b) finding suitable matrix materials.