R-Line Luminescence from Trace Amounts of Cr3+ in Aluminum Oxide and its Dependence on Sample Hydration

Abstract

The R-line luminescence is observed in the Raman spectra of α- and γ-Al₂O₃ with chromium concentrations of less than 1 ppm. The same signals were previously used to monitor the setting reaction of dental cements. With laser excitation 2O₃. It is found that the intensities of R-line signals are related to the degree of hydration of the α-Al₂O₃ sample, which can be explained by the formation of additional octahedral sites for Cr³⁺ near the sample surface involving oxygen atoms from the Al₂O₃ matrix and from absorbed water molecules.