面向磁光应用的CeF_(3)晶体生长与性能表征

Growth and Characterization of CeF_(3) Crystals for Magneto-optical Application

随着高功率激光和光通信技术的迅速发展,如何消除光学系统内部产生的反射噪声是一个至关重要的问题。磁光隔离器是依据法拉第效应设计而成的磁有源器件,能够有效隔离大部分反射光以保证光学系统稳定工作,而法拉第磁光材料作为磁光隔离器的核心部件,其研究和应用推动了磁光隔离器的更新与发展。CeF_(3)晶体具有高透过率、宽透过区间和高Verdet常数等优点,近年来获得了广泛关注,但是其传统生长方法存在成本高、周期长等缺点。本研究通过坩埚下降生长技术,优化温场结构和生长工艺,采用多孔坩埚成功获得多根CeF_(3)晶体。与商用TGG(Tb3Ga5O12)晶体相比,CeF_(3)晶体的透过率得到明显提高,最高达到92%,并且在近红外波段两者的Verdet常数相当。CeF_(3)晶体的比热较高,表明晶体拥有较强的抗热冲击能力和较高的抗激光损伤能力。本研究使用多孔坩埚技术生长CeF_(3)晶体,实现了规模化和低成本生产;生长的CeF_(3)晶体物理性能优良,具有应用于近红外波段磁光隔离器的巨大潜力。

With the rapid development of high power laser and optical communication technology,how to eliminate the reflected noise generated inside the optical system is a crucial challenge.The magneto-optical isolators are magnetically active devices designed according to the Faraday effect,which can effectively isolate most of the reflected light to ensure the stable operation of the optical system.As the core component of the magneto-optical isolator,research and application of Faraday magneto-optical materials are promoting the update and development of the magneto-optical isolators.CeF_(3) crystals have the advantages of high transmittance,wide transmission range and high Verdet constant,and have received widespread attention in recent years for the excellent magneto-optical property.But its traditional growth methods have some disadvantages such as high cost and long cycle.In this study,multiple CeF_(3) crystals were successfully obtained by the porous crucible technology through optimizing the temperature field structure and process of Bridgman growth technology.Compared with commercial TGG(Tb3Ga5O12)crystals,CeF_(3) crystals have a significantly high transmittance up to 92%,and a comparable Verdet constant in the near-infrared wavelength,and the thermal performance test results show that CeF_(3) crystals have high specific heat,indicating a strong thermal shock resistance and a high laser damage resistance.Therefore,the porous crucible technology is a large-scale and low-cost production method,which can be used to grow CeF_(3) crystals achieving with excellent physical properties,exhibits great potential to develop magneto-optical isolators in the near-infrared band.