Properties of Bi12SiO20 single crystals containing first row transition metal

Single crystals of Bi12SiO20 (BSO) codoped with Ga:V, Cr:P, Mn:P, Fe:P, Co:P, Ni:P, or Cu:P were prepared, and their transmission spectrum, photoconductivity, linear electro-optic effect and optical activity were studied. Distinct absorption bands are observed in the visible and near-infrared transmission spectra for the BSO containing V, Cr, Mn, Co or Cu as compared with that for the pure and P-doped BSO. Furthermore it is found that the transition metals incorporated into BSO generally quench the photoconductivity of the host crystal. Particularly, those of the BSO containing V, Cr or Cu are quenched significantly. It is also found that the incorporations of 0.15 mole% V or about 0.01 mole% (Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni or Cu) do not cause important changes in the optical activity of BSO but cause small decreases in the linear electro-optic coefficients.