Structure and Magnetic and Magneto-Optical Properties of a New Cubic Ce3Sc2Ga3O12 Garnet Crystal with Heavy Ce3+ Concentration

Based on the thermal stability analysis by density functional theory and the crystal phase optimization by tolerance factor, the crystal structure was designed. So, a new cubic Ce3Sc2Ga3O12 (CSGG) garnet material with a high Ce3+ concentration was synthesized. The centimeter-scale CSGG crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. CSGG exhibits fine magneto-optical properties, which are attributed to the stable valence and high concentration of rare-earth Ce3+ ions. Compared with commercial Tb3Ga5O12 (TGG), CSGG is also paramagnetic, but its magneto-optical properties are better. The Verdet constants of CSGG in 532, 635, 1064, and 1550 nm are −380.0, −258.8, −47.5, and −22.4 rad/T·m, respectively, which are from 1.2 to 2.0 times that of TGG. Moreover, the CSGG crystal has high transmittance in 1500–2300 nm to make up for the poor transmittance of TGG crystal in this band. Also, considering its low raw material cost, the CSGG crystal presents promising application potential. It could be qualified as an essential material for magneto-optical isolators, circulators, and switches within the visible to mid-infrared band.