Structural analysis and crystal-field calculations of Nd³⁺ in Gd_x Lu_1-x TaO₄（x = 0.85） polycrytalline

The crystal structural parameters of Nd 3+-doped rare earth orthotantalate Gd x Lu 1 x TaO 4(x = 0.85) are determined by applying the Rietveld refinement to its X-ray diffraction,and its emission and excitation spectra at 77 K are analysed.The relativistic model of ab initio self-consistent DV-Xα method,which is applied to the cluster NdO 8 in Gd x Lu 1 x TaO 4,and the effective Hamiltonian model are used to investigate its spin-orbit and crystal-field parameters.The free-ions and crystal-field parameters are fitted to the experimental energy levels at 77 K with a root-mean-square deviation of 14.92 cm 1.According to the crystal-field calculations,96 levels of Nd 3+ are assigned.Finally,the fitting results of free-ions and crystal-field parameters are compared with those already reported for Nd 3+:YAlO 3.The results indicate that the free-ion parameters are similar to those of the Nd3+ in Gdx Lu1-x TaO4 and YAlO 3 hosts,and the crystal-field interaction of Nd3+ in Gdx Lu1-x TaO4 is stronger than that in YAlO 3.     

Atomistic simulation of site preference, Curie temperature, and lattice vibration of Nd2Co7 - xFex

The effects of Fe substitution for Co on the structural stability and the site preference of intermetallics Nd 2 Co 7-x Fe x with a hexagonal Ce 2 Ni 7-type structure are studied by using a series of interatomic pair potentials.In Nd 2 Co 7-x Fe x,Fe atoms are substituted for Co atoms with a strong preference for the 6h sites and the order of site preference is 6h,4e,4f,2a,and 12k.Calculated lattice parameters are found to be consistent with the reported results in the literature.The variation behaviour of the Curie temperature of Nd 2 Co 7-x Fe x is explained qualitatively by the exchange interaction model.The properties related to lattice vibration,such as phonon density of states and Debye temperature,are first evaluated for the Nd 2 Co 7-x Fe x compounds.     

Novel Dy^3＋-doped Gd（PO3）3 white-light phosphors under VUV excitation for Hg-free lamps application

Novel Dy3+-doped Gd(PO3)3 white light phosphors each with an orthorhombic system are successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction.The luminescence properties of white-light Gd1-x(PO3)3:xDy3+(0 x ≤ 0.25) under vacuum ultraviolet(VUV) excitation are investigated.The strong absorption at around 147 nm in excitation spectrum energy can be transferred to the energy levels of Dy3+ ion from the host absorption.Additionally,the white light phosphor is activated by a single Dy3+ ion.Therefore,the luminescence of Gd1-x(PO3)3:xDy(0 x ≤ 0.25) under VUV excitation is effective,and it has the promise of being applied to mercury-free lamps.     

Enhancement of upconversion luminescence of YAlO3:Er3+ by Gd3+ doping

The upconversion luminescences of YAlO3:Er3+ phosphor co-doping with different Gd3+ concentrations are investigated under the excitation of 980- and 532-nm diode lasers. A near ultraviolet upconversion emission at 410 nm is observed in YAlO3 under 532-nm excitation. Moreover, the inactive Gd3+ ions can improve the upconversion intensity efficiently in a certain range of concentration. Under 980-nm excitation, the visible upconversion emissions at 546 and 646 nm are enhanced by about 10 and 8 times at the Gd3+ concentration of 40%, respectively. The upconversion emission at 410 nm under 532-nm excitation is also enhanced by 7 times. The substitution of Gd3+ ions for Y3+ sites changes the local symmetry of Er3+, leading to the improvement of upconversion efficiency.     

Optical spectra and local structure of Eu3+ ions doped in Nb2O5-La2O3-B2O3-BaO glasses

The xNb2O5-(15-x)La2O3-40B2O3-45BaO (x = 5, 7.5, 12.5 mol%) glasses doped with Eu3+ ions in 1mol% are fabricated by the melting method. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra, phonon sideband spectra, emission and excitation spectra of the glasses are measured. The crystal field parameter and coordination number of Eu3+ ions in the glasses are obtained according to the splitting of their 5D0 - 7F1levels. The intensity parameters Ω2 and Ω4 of Eu3+ ions for optical transition are calculated from their emission spectra in terms of reduced matrix U(t) (λ= 2,4,6) character for optical transitions. The results indicate that the intensity parameters Ω2 and Ω4 increase with the increase of Nb2O5 content, suggesting that the symmetry becomes lower, the band of Eu and O atoms becomes stronger and the covalence increases with the increase of Nb2O5 content.     

First-principles study of the local structure and crystal field of Yb2＋ in sodium and potassium halides

The local coordination structures around the doping Yb 2+ ions in sodium and potassium halides were calculated by using the first-principles supercell model.Both the cases with and without the charge compensation vacancy in the local environment of the doping Yb 2+ were calculated to study the effect of the doping on the local coordination structures of Yb 2+.Using the calculated local structures,we obtained the crystal-field parameters for the Yb 2+ ions doped in sodium and potassium halides by a method based on the combination of the quantum-chemical calculations and the effective Hamiltonian method.The calculated crystal-field parameters were analyzed and compared with the fitted results.     

Effects of Biaxial Crystal-Field on Magnetic System

The spin-1 Ising model with biaxiM crystal-field on the honeycomb lattice is investigated by using the effective-field theory with self-spin correlations and the differential operator technique. The effects of biaxial crystal-field described by two uniaxial anisotropy parameters Dx and Dy on the phase transition and specific heat and susceptibility are studied numerically. Some interesting results are observed in the system such as tricritical behavior depending sensitively on the strength of the biaxial crvstal-field.     

Photoluminescence properties of Y_(0.75-x)Gd_xAl_(0.10)BO_3:Eu_(0.10)~(3+),0.05R~(3+)(R= Sc,Bi) (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.45)

Y 0.75 -x Gd x Al 0.10 BO 3 :Eu0.10 3+, 0.05R 3+ (R=Sc, Bi) (0.00 ≤ x ≤ 0.45) powder samples are prepared by solid-state reaction and their luminescence properties are investigated. With the replacement of Y 3+ ions by Sc 3+ (or Bi 3+ ) and Gd 3+ ions in (Y,Al)BO 3 :Eu, the intensities of emission at 254 and 147 nm are remarkably improved, because Sc 3+ ions can absorb UV light and transfer the energy to Eu 3+ ions efficiently. Moreover, Gd 3+ and Bi 3+ ions act as an intermediate "bridge" between the sensitizer and the activator (Eu 3+ ) in energy transfer to produce light in the (Y, Gd)BO 3 :Bi 3+ , Eu 3+ system more effectively. After doping an appropriate concentration of Gd 3+ into Y 0.50 Gd 0.25 Al 0.10 BO 3 :Eu0.01 3+ , Bi0.05 3+ , the emission intensity reaches its maximum, which is nearly 110% compared with the red commercial phosphor (Y,Gd)BO 3 :Eu and better chromaticity coordinates (0.650, 0.350) are obtained.     

Band-gap engineering of La_(1-x)Nd_xAlO_3(x = 0,0.25,0.50,0.75,1)perovskite using density functional theory:A modified Becke Johnson potential study

The structural,electronic,and magnetic properties of the Nd-doped Rare earth aluminate,La_(1-x)Nd_xAlO_3(x = 0%to 100%) alloys are studied using the full potential linearized augmented plane wave(FP-LAPW) method within the density functional theory.The effects of the Nd substitution in La AlO_3 are studied using the supercell calculations.The computed electronic structure with the modified Becke–Johnson(m BJ) potential based approximation indicates that the La_(1-x)Nd_xAlO_3 alloys may possess half-metallic(HM) behaviors when doped with Nd of a finite density of states at the Fermi level(E_F).The direct and indirect band gaps are studied each as a function of x which is the concentration of Nddoped La AlO_3.The calculated magnetic moments in the La_(1-x)Nd_xAlO_3 alloys are found to arise mainly from the Nd-4f state.A probable half-metallic nature is suggested for each of these systems with supportive integral magnetic moments and highly spin-polarized electronic structures in these doped systems at E_F.The observed decrease of the band gap with the increase in the concentration of Nd doping in La AlO_3 is a suitable technique for harnessing useful spintronic and magnetic devices.     

Calculating Hamiltonian parameters for Yb^3＋ in a low-symmetry lattice site, and fitting the structure and levels of Yb^3＋ ：RETaO4 （RE = Gd, Y, and Sc）

An iterative method is used to find the values of the Hamiltonian parameters for Yb^3＋ in a given low-symmetry crys- talline site. Samples of Yb^3＋ ：RETaO4 （RE = Gd, Y, and Sc） were prepared and their structures were determined. Based on the obtained structural data, their orbital-spin parameters and crystal field parameters were fitted by the superposition model （SM）. Using the crystal field parameters obtained by the SM fitting as the initial parameters, the Hamiltonian parameters were fitted iteratively. The calculated and experimental energy levels for Yb^3＋：RETaO4 are consistent, and the maximal mean-root-square deviation is only 2.84 cm^- 1, indicating that the method is effective to determine the Hamiltonian parameters of Yb^3＋ in low-symmetry crystalline sites.     

Energy levels fitting and crystal-field calculations of Nd3+ doped in GYSGG crystal

The single crystal Nd³⁺-doped in GdY₂Sc₂Ga₃O₁₂ (Nd³⁺:GYSGG) was grown by Czochralski method successfully, and its absorption spectra was analyzed in a wider spectral wavelength range at 7.6 K and 300 K, respectively. The free-ions and crystal-field parameters were fitted to the experimental energy levels at 7.6 K and 300 K with the root mean square deviation of 11.25 and 12.48 cm^?1, respectively. According to the crystal-field calculations, 116 levels of Nd³⁺ at 7.6 K and 114 levels of Nd³⁺ at 300 K were assigned. The fitting results of free-ions and crystal-field parameters were compared with those already reported of Nd³⁺:GSGG and Nd³⁺:YSAG. The results indicated that the free-ions parameters are similar to those of the Nd³⁺ in GYSGG, GSGG and YSAG crystals, and the crystal-field interaction of GSGG and YSAG is stronger than that of GYSGG, which results in the dual-wavelength properties of Nd³⁺:GYSGG crystal.     

Nd crystal-field study of weakly doped Nd1−xCaxMnO3

Nd³⁺ crystal-field excitations in Nd_1−xCa_xMnO₃ (x=0.025, 0.05 and 0.1) single crystals are studied via infrared transmission as a function of temperature and external magnetic field. We report excitations associated with Nd³⁺ sites as detected in NdMnO₃ and excitations due to Ca doping. The latter reveal phase separation between the usual A-type antiferromagnetic states and the insulating canted (ferromagnetic) spin states in the vicinity of doped Ca²⁺ ions. Both Nd³⁺ crystal-field levels could be described using calculated parameters for NdMnO₃. Also, while oxygen stoichiometry and coherent Jahn–Teller distortions seem not to be affected by Ca doping, increased absorption bandwidths characterize the doped crystals.     

Defect clustering in double doped fluorite crystals with Lu and Gd

Abstract

Solid solutions Ca¹ x-^yLu^xGd^y F_2+x+y for 10^?4 ≤ x ≤ 2 × 10^?2 and y=0.0001 have been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and ionic thermal currents (ITC). It has been found that the ITC spectrum from 77 to 420 K is very weak and the main peak is attributed to the relaxation of both Lu³⁺-F^? _x and Gd³⁺F^? _i nn dipoles. No polarizable clusters are present in the temperature range explored here. The EPR spectra show the presence of Gd³⁺ tetragonal and cubic centers due to the local and non local compensation, respectively. The continuous decrease in the molar fraction of Gd³⁺ tetragonal centers together with the low concentration of Lu nn dipoles is an evidence of the existence at these low and intermediate concentrations of large clusters such as the cubo-octahedral hexamer which has been proposed for CaF₂ crystals very highly doped with small trivalent cations.     

Luminescent properties of Tb activated GdTaO4 with M and M′ type structure under UV-VUV excitation

The photoluminescence of Tb³⁺ doped M and M′ type gadolinium orthotantalate Gd_1−xTb_xTaO₄ (0.01≤x≤0.20) was investigated under ultraviolet and vacuum ultraviolet excitation. For the samples of Gd_1−xTb_xTaO₄ with different crystallographic structures, emission spectra were the same in addition to intensity; the optimal concentration for Tb³⁺ was about 10 mol % in M type Gd_1−xTb_xTaO₄ but 5 mol % in M′ type Gd_1−xTb_xTaO₄. These differences could be corresponding with the difference in structures. In addition, compared to commercial Zn₂SiO₄: Mn²⁺, the integrated intensity of M and M′ type GdTaO₄: Tb³⁺ could reach 67% and 85%, respectively, of that at 147 nm excitation, which indicates that GdTaO₄: Tb³⁺ would be a promising vacuum ultraviolet phosphor for application in PDP and Hg-free lamp.     

Growth and the luminescence properties of a lutetium gadolinium garnet doped with Ce3+ and Pr3+ ions

Crystals of lutetium gadolinium garnet solid solutions (Lu_{1 − x} Gd _x )Al₅O₁₂ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.6) doped with Ce³⁺ and Pr³⁺ ions have been prepared by the horizontal directional crystallization method, and their optical and luminescence properties have been investigated. It has been established that the introduction of gadolinium into the lutetium garnet lattice leads to a decrease in the antisite luminescence (Lu_Al centers) in the UV spectral range and to sensitization of the Ce³⁺ ion luminescence. By contrast, the presence of gadolinium results in the quenching of the Pr³⁺ luminescence due to the nonradiative excitation transfer from Pr³⁺ ions to Gd³⁺ ions.     

A novel Dy3+-doped Gd(PO3)3 white-light phosphors under VUV excitation for Hg-free lamps application

Novel Dy³⁺-doped Gd(PO₃)₃ white light phosphors each with an orthorhombic system are successfully synthesized by solid-state reaction. The luminescence properties of white-light Gd_1-x(PO₃)₃:xDy³⁺ (0<x≤ 0.25) under vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation are investigated. The strong absorption at around 147 nm in excitation spectrum energy can be transferred to the energy levels of Dy³⁺ ion from the host absorption. Additionally, the white light phosphor is activated by a single Dy³⁺ ion. Therefore, the luminescence of Gd_1-x(PO₃)₃:xDy (0<x≤ 0.25) under VUV excitation is effective, and it has the promise of being applied to mercury-free lamp.     

Synthesis, thermionic emission and magnetic properties of (NdxGd1-x)B6

Polycrystalline rare-earth hexaborides(NdxGd1-x)B6(x = 0,0.2,0.6,0.8,1) were prepared by the reactive spark plasma sintering(SPS) method using mixed powder of GdH2,NdH2 and B.The effects of Nd doping on the crystal structure,the grain orientation,the thermionic emission and the magnetic properties of the hexaboride were investigated by X-ray diffraction,electron backscattered diffraction and magnetic measurements.It is found that all the samples sintered by the SPS method exhibit high densities(> 95%) and high values of Vickers hardness(2319 kg/mm2).The values are much higher than those obtained in the traditional method.With the increase of Nd content,the thermionic emission current density increases from 11 to 16.30 A/cm2 and the magnetic phase transition temperature increases from 5.85 to 7.95 K.Thus,the SPS technique is a suitable method to synthesize the dense rare-earth hexaborides with excellent properties.     

Nd1-xSrxMnO3中掺杂浓度对电脉冲诱导电阻转变效应的影响

采用两线测量模式对固相烧结方法制备的Nd_1-xA_xMnO₃ (A= Ba, Ca, Sr,x= 0-0.9) 陶瓷样品电脉冲诱导电阻转变(EPIR)效应和I-V特性进行了测量. 结果表明, 与Nd_0.7Sr_0.3MnO₃一样, 相同浓度掺杂的Nd_0.7Ba_0.3MnO₃和Nd_0.7Ca_0.3MnO₃ 样品也能诱发稳定的室温EPIR效应. 进一步对Nd_1-xSr_xMnO₃系列样品的EPIR研究表明, 这种界面相关的EPIR效应与样品中电子或空穴掺杂浓度密切相关, 在半掺杂 (x= 0.5)附近, 样品与电极接触界面能诱发稳定的EPIR效应. 然而, 随掺杂浓度的进一步增大或降低, EPIR效应逐渐出现减弱、不明显到完全消失的过程. 产生这种现象的原因可能与锰氧化物中由于掺杂浓度差异所导致的界面缺陷在不同极性脉冲激励下重新分布而产生的内电场强弱有关.     

Spectroscopic and laser properties of Er3+-doped monoclinic BaY2F8 single crystals

The luminescence and absorption properties of Ba(Y_1–x Er _x )₂F₈ (x=0.001, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) and the Er³⁺-ion decay kinetics of luminescent transitions from three initial laser states, the⁴S_3/2,⁴F._9/2 and⁴I_11/2 manifolds, were measured. The crystal-field splitting schemes for allJ-manifolds which are involved in (J J)-luminescence transitions and stimulated emission parameters of Er³⁺ -ions in BaY₂F₈ were determined. A comparison of laser powers and efficiencies of BaY₂F₈ and Y₃Al₅O₁₂, Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ and LiYF₄ single crystals doped with Er³⁺-ions shows the similar performance of these materials.     

Electrical properties of neodymium doped CaBi4Ti4O15 ceramics

Neodymium doped bismuth layer structure ferroelectrics (BLSFs) ceramics CaBi_4−xNd_xTi₄O₁₅ (x=0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75) were prepared by solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction pattern showed that single phase was formed when x=0-0.75. The refined lattice parameters showed that a (b) axes decrease at x=0.25 and increase with more Nd³⁺ dopant. The effects of Nd³⁺ doping on the dielectric and ferroelectric properties of CaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ ceramics are studied. Nd³⁺ dopant decreased the Curie temperature linearly, and the dielectric loss, tan δ, as well. The remnant polarization of Nd³⁺ doped CaBi₄Ti₄O₁₅ ceramics was increased by 80% at x=0.25, while more Nd³⁺ dopant decreased the remnant polarization. CaBi_3.75Nd_0.25Ti₄O₁₅ ceramics had the largest piezoelectric constant d₃₃. The structure and properties of CaBi_4−xNd_xTi₄O₁₅ ceramics showed that Nd³⁺ may occupy different crystal locations when Nd³⁺ content x is less than 0.25 and more than 0.50.