Aerosol–gel deposition and spectroscopic characterization of pyrochlore films heavily doped with erbium ions

Abstract Optically active films in the Y2Ti2O7–Er2Ti2O7 (YETO) system have been deposited using the aerosol–gel process. Photoluminescence properties closely depend on the film crystallization degree. Dilution of erbium ions within a crystalline Y2Ti2O7 matrix (YETO solid solution) allows preventing photoluminescence concentration quenching induced by short range distance interactions. Consequently, heavily doped films with good photoluminescence properties can be obtained. First studies of a YETO-derived microcavity demonstrate the potential of YETO films for integrated optics applications.