Optical properties of zinc aluminate, zinc gallate, and zinc aluminogallate spinels

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1998

Abstract

The optical spectra of zinc aluminate (ZnAl2O4), zinc gallate (ZnGa2O4), and zinc aluminogallate (ZnAlGaO4) spinel powders were studied at wavelengths in the range of 250-900 nm using reflectance spectroscopy. The ZnAl2O4 and ZnGa2O4 powders were synthesized by using conventional ceramic processing techniques and had systematic variations in the molar ratio of ZnO to M2O3 ( M = Al or Ga). The cubic spinel crystal structure of each composition was confirmed via powder X-ray diffractometry. The ZnAl2O4 powders showed optical properties in the ultraviolet wavelength region and had combined characteristics that were similar to that of ZnO (wurtzite structure) and Al2O3 (corundum structure), which result from the similar local environments of the zinc and aluminum cations within the cubic spinel crystal structure. A mechanically induced optical absorption (optomechanical effect) in the ultraviolet wavelength region was also observed in ZnAl2O4. The ZnGa2O4 powder followed a similar behavior, with the exception that the optomechanical effect did not occur in the gallate. The ZnAlGaO4 showed optical spectra that were intermediate to that of the endpoint compositions.

Publication Title

Journal of the American Ceramic Society

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