Inversion in synthetic spinel: Fluorescence of Cr3+ ions in MgAl2O4 spinel ceramics

Abstract The fluorescence spectra of probe Cr3+ ions in MgAl2O4 spinel ceramics have been studied. The analysis of the spectra shows that the normal non-inverse spinel phase dominates the samples. The possibility of obtaining normal spinel by the standard high-temperature ceramics synthesis is established. The degree of inversion in the spinel samples produced by different techniques is discussed.