The
α-Ca2SiO4 and rocksalt-type (R)
CaO condensates/particulates with an enhanced solid solution of P
and Si + P ions, respectively, were produced via pulsed laser ablation
of a silicocarnotite (Ca5(PO4)2SiO4) target under a relatively high peak power density of 1.8
× 109 Watt/cm2 in high vacuum (8 ×
10–5 torr). The condensates were dispersed in an
amorphous phase of Ca–Si–P–O linkage as spheres
up to submicrons in size or coalesced in particulates by the {100}R, {111}R, and {1̅21̅0}α facets to follow a preferred crystallographic relationship of (1̅1̅1)R//(1̅21̅0)α; [101]R//[101̅1]α, with a fair three-dimensional
match of the lattice planes. The 1-D commensurate superstructures n × (200)R and n × (1̅21̅0)a, where n = 1.5 and 3, were commonly noted for
the condensates in the particulates. The P-doped α-Ca2SiO4 and (Si, P)-codoped CaO showed characteristic luminescence
at 407 and 537 nm, respectively, under the combined influences of
internal compressive stress as well as substitutional and/or interstitial
defects with charge/volume-compensating cation vacancies for potential
optoelectronic and photocatalytic applications.