Investigation of Er-doped Sc2O3 transparent ceramics by positron annihilation spectroscopy

0.25 at.% Er-doped Sc2O3 transparent ceramics fabricated using the two-step sintering method with different combinations of sintering temperatures were investigated by positron annihilation spectroscopy. Analysis of the broadening of the annihilation photopeak revealed the presence of the same type of defect in all samples. The lack of long lifetimes (tau a parts per thousand yen 2 ns) suggested no positronium formation or the lack of trapping sites large enough to trap positronium for long enough time for the annihilation to be observed. Analysis of positron annihilation lifetime revealed the presence of a single lifetime that ranged from 208 to 219 ps, depending on the sintering conditions. These results also suggest the absence of a significant presence of vacancy clusters and other larger open-volume defects, and that the dominant open-volume defect corresponds to monovacancies and/or complex defects associated with monovacancies. The bulk lifetime of Er-doped scandia is estimated to be equal or lower than 208 ps.