Effect of thermal cycle and Bi/Eu doping on the solubility of Ce in YIG

In this work, garnet materials with the composition of Y3-x-y-zCexBiyEuzFe5O12 (x = 0.25, 0.50 and y = 0.00, 0.10 and z = 0.00, 0.25) were synthesized from Fe2O3, Y2O3, CeO2, Bi2O3 and Eu2O3 via the solid state method. Three different thermal cycles were investigated to dissolve Ce in YIG and the optimal cycle was determined as 6 h at 1420 degrees C. By using the optimized cycle, the effect of Bi and Eu additives on the solubility of Ce in YIG was studied. The results revealed that Eu can increase the solubility of Ce with a suitable thermal cycle. The Bi doping can cause problems in Ce solubility due to its larger ionic radius than that of Y and Ce. The secondary and impurity phases are a result of Ce solubility limitation.