Y2SiO5

Y2SiO5, commonly known as yttrium orthosilicate or YSO, is a crystalline yttrium silicate used as a host material in photonics and radiation detection. It can be prepared as high-quality single crystals or polycrystalline ceramics and is valued for optical transparency across the visible and near-infrared, chemical stability, and favorable thermal properties.

The crystal lattice of Y2SiO5 accommodates rare-earth dopants, making it a versatile host for optical and scintillation applications. The yttrium ions are coordinated by oxygen in a silicate framework, and the material exhibits good optical homogeneity with relatively low host lattice phonon energy, which benefits dopant emission and energy transfer processes.

Doping and applications: YSO is widely doped with rare-earth ions such as Ce, Nd, Er, and Yb to tailor its properties. Ce3+-doped YSO (Ce:YSO) is a fast scintillator used in medical imaging and radiation detection due to its bright, prompt light output. Nd3+-doped YSO (Nd:YSO) is a recognized solid-state laser medium with emission near 1.06 micrometers. Er3+- and Yb3+-doped variants extend emission into the infrared and enable upconversion or broadband laser and readout capabilities.

Synthesis and forms: YSO is produced by high-temperature solid-state synthesis from yttrium and silicon precursors or by alternative routes such as sol-gel processing, followed by crystallization. It is available as single-crystal boules and as polycrystalline ceramics, with crystal growth achieved by methods such as the Czochralski process or flux growth.