Production of Ti~(3+) :Al_2O_3 nanoparticles by pulsed laser deposition

摘要

Ti~(3+):Al_2O_3 (Titanium doped sapphire or Ti:sapphire) nanoparticles were produced by the means of pulsed laser deposition (PLD) of bulk Ti:sapphire in background gas with the substrate at ambient temperature. The effect of background gas pressure and composition is studied, having a major impact on the shape, size and aggregation level of the particles. The nanoparticles were characterized by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM). Preliminary results for the PLD of Cr~(3+):Al_2O_3 (ruby) nanoparticles are also presented.