Analysis of the ground configuration of Tm3+ in YVO4

An analysis has been made of the optical spectrum of Tm³⁺ in YVO₄ reported by K. D. Knoll. The approach taken was to describe the Tm³⁺ free ion as completely as possible and then to describe the effects of the crystal field on these levels. Parameters were obtained that gave an r.m.s. deviatioa of 10.6 cm^?1 in a least squares fit. In Knolls' earlier analysis, which did not describe the free ion adequately, several sets of parameters were given that are consistent with different portions of the spectrum. The results computed with our parameters gave a new interpretation of the ³F₄ and ³H₅ multiplets and gave g_∥ factors in good agreement with the measurements. The efiects of the hyperfine interaction and the spin-crystal field interaction on the energy levels resulted in displacements of smaller than 0.1 cm^?1.