Crdoped

Crdoped refers to a material in which chromium ions are introduced as dopants to alter its physical properties. In solid-state chemistry and photonics, Cr doping is typically achieved by substituting chromium ions for host cations, most commonly Cr3+ in oxide, fluoride, garnet, and related lattices. The Cr3+ ion, with partially filled d-orbitals, creates discrete energy levels within the host crystal’s band gap. Transitions among these levels produce characteristic absorption bands in the visible and near-infrared, and, in many hosts, Cr3+ can emit fluorescence when excited, enabling laser action across a range from the red to near-infrared, depending on the crystal field.

Doped materials are used as laser gain media, spectroscopic probes, and nonlinear optical components. The classic example is ruby, Cr-doped aluminum oxide (Cr:Al2O3), which was among the first solid-state lasers. Other Cr-doped hosts include garnets and fluorides such as Cr-doped garnet crystals and Cr:LiSAF or Cr:ZnSe systems, which extend emission into longer infrared wavelengths. The performance of Cr-doped materials depends on factors such as Cr concentration, lattice site, oxidation state, and crystal field, which influence absorption strengths, luminescence lifetimes, and quantum efficiency.

Crdoped materials are typically synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reactions, crystal growth from melt or solution, or ion implantation, followed by annealing to activate the dopants. They are characterized by absorption spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and laser performance testing to assess suitability for specific applications.

See also: doped crystals, chromium-doped lasers, solid-state lasers.