What is doped Ruby Sapphire Crystal?
Doped ruby sapphire crystal refers to a synthetic crystal made by
introducing certain impurities, or dopants, into a sapphire crystal
lattice to give it the characteristic red color associated with
rubies. Ruby and sapphire are both forms of the mineral corundum,
with sapphire typically appearing in various colors, except red.
In the case of doped ruby sapphire crystal, the dopant is typically
chromium (Cr) ions. When a small amount of chromium is added to the
aluminum oxide (Al2O3) crystal lattice of sapphire, it alters the
crystal's electronic structure. This modification causes the
crystal to exhibit a phenomenon known as fluorescence, emitting a
red color when illuminated by certain wavelengths of light.
The process of creating doped ruby sapphire crystal involves
carefully controlling the concentration and distribution of
chromium within the crystal lattice to achieve the desired red hue.
The resulting synthetic crystal can be used in various
applications, including jewelry, laser technology, and scientific
research.