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.