We investigate the structural evolution of Er/Si nanoclusters obtained in co-implanted fused silica upon annealing via Raman spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The effect of annealing temperature (900–1200 °C) on the nature and the relative fraction of the formed amorphous-Si, Si nanocrystals (Si-nc), and amorphous Er nanoparticles (Er-np) was determined in this ternary Er–Si–O system, showing a change of growth regime above 1100 °C due to the formation of mixed Er/O/Si aggregates. We observe that the nucleation and growth of amorphous Er-np and Si-nc are mutually affected. The 2-fold increase in the size of Er-np when no excess Si+ is present in the matrix indicates that the formation of Si-nc in the proximity of Er clusters hinders Er diffusivity above 1100 °C. This finding shows the importance of nanoclustering for improving the thermal stability of Er-doped silica systems.

The M emission spectrum of 68Er was reinvestigated using wavelength dispersive spectrometry, with a TAP diffracting crystal. By recording the spectra using the second-order reflection, an improved energy resolution was achieved, which is necessary to resolve the M5O3 line from the neighboring α M5N7 transition. In addition to the five lines/bands tabulated in the classical paper of Bearden, a number of further lines were observed. These are M1N3, M3O1, M2N1, M5O3, M3N1, and M4N3. For all the lines with an energy below the M5 absorption structure (M5O3, M3N1, M4N3, and ζ M5N3), an increasing relative intensity with increasing energy of the exciting electrons, E0, was observed. This dependence has its origin in the fact that these lines are normally absorbed whereas Mα (M5N7) and Mβ (M4N6) are additionally affected by anomalous line-type absorption.

This study compares the relative thermal damage caused by a surgical CO2 laser and the Erbium: YAG laser when used to incise the human vocal fold in vitro. Results show that charring is completely eliminated when using the Erbium: YAG laser. The depth of coagulative necrosis adjacent to an incision is reduced from 510 ±m(µ 75) using the CO2 laser to 23 ±m(µ 12) using the Ebrium: YAG laser and at the base is reduced from 125 ±m (µ 45) using the CO2 laser to 12 ±m (µ 8 ) using the Erbium: YAG laser. The potential advantages regarding post-operative healing after laryngeal surgery are discussed.