Photo-luminescence studies of strontium barium niobate crystals doped with Cr3+ ions

This paper reports the photo-luminescence spectroscopic results of Strontium–Barium–Niobate, Sr_x,Ba_1−xNb₂O₅ (SBN, x = 0.61 for near congruent composition) crystals doped with Cr₂O, at cryogenic temperature (20 K). The experimental results reveal the need of re-assignment of the Cr³⁺ ions defect centres in this material. For first time, a broad emission band in the near infrared region centred at ca. 950 nm is reported. This emission band has micro-seconds decaytime constant and a FWHM band-width > 1700 cm⁻¹ and has been ascribed to the vibronically assisted ⁴T₂ → ⁴A₂ transition. A much narrower emission band centred at ca. 764 nm with milli-seconds decaytime constant and a FWHM band-width of ca. 170 cm⁻¹ is correlated to the ²E → ⁴A₂ radiative transition (R-line).     

Luminescent properties of Tb3+ and Gd3+ ions doped aluminosilicate oxyfluoride glasses

Tb³⁺ and Gd³⁺ ions doped lithium–barium–aluminosilicate oxyfluoride glasses have been prepared. The transmission, emission and excitation spectra were measured. It has been found that those Tb³⁺-doped lithium–barium–aluminosilicate oxyfluoride glasses exhibit good UV-excited luminescence. The luminescence intensity of Tb³⁺ ion increases for those (Tb³⁺, Gd³⁺)-codoped glasses. Energy transfer process from Gd³⁺ ion to Tb³⁺ ion is indicated.     

Optical properties of Er3+ ions doped in oxyfluoroborate glass

In this paper the Stark components of 4S(3/2), 2H(11/2) and 4I(15/2) levels of Er3+ ion doped in oxyfluoroborate glass have been resolved using laser excitation and fluorescence measurements. The lifetime of 4S(3/2) level as a function of Er3+ concentration in the glass host has also been measured. Concentration quenching due to interaction among rare earth ions and the mechanism responsible for the same has been elucidated. The Judd-Ofelt analysis of the absorption spectrum has also been carried out.     

Spectroscopic properties of Ho3+ ions doped in tellurite glass

Spectroscopic properties of Ho3+ doped tellurite glass (1 mol.% of Ho3+) have been studied. The absorption and fluorescence spectra have been recorded and analysed using the Judd-Offelt theory. The analysis indicates that Ho doped tellurite glasses can show lasing on the 5F4 (5S2)-5I8 transition (548.0 nm).     

Optical properties of Nd3+ ions doped in oxyfluoroborate glass

Laser induced excitation spectrum of the Nd3+ ions doped in oxyfluoroborate glass have been recorded. Stark components of different electronic states have been reported. Judd-Ofelt analysis has also been accomplished on the basis of ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared (UV-vis-NIR) absorption spectrum. Various radiative parameters such as electric dipole line strength, transition probability, life time of the various energy levels, branching ratio etc., have been estimated.     

Optical studies of Eu3+ ions doped in tellurite glass

Absorption and fluorescence spectra of Eu3+ ions doped in a tellurite glass have been recorded and analysed. Judd-Ofelt analysis has been done in order to calculate the different optical parameters such as oscillator strength, Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters, stimulated emission cross-section, transition probability, branching ratio, radiative lifetime, etc. Lifetime measurements of the 5D0 level as a function of Eu3+ concentration have been used to explore the concentration quenching process. The mechanism of quenching is found to be of a dipole-dipole type.     

Optical properties of Sm3+ ions doped in tellurite glass

Judd-Ofelt analysis of Sm(3+) ions doped in a tellurite glass has been accomplished. Fluorescence and life-time measurements have been carried out using Ar(+) laser and excimer laser. Stark splitting has been observed in the upper and lower levels in fluorescence. The life-time of 4G(5/2) level as a function of Sm(3+) concentration has been measured. Concentration quenching and the mechanism responsible for the same have been found.     

Optical characterization of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions doped zinc lead borate glasses

This paper reports on the spectral analysis of Eu3+ or Tb3+ ions (0.5 mol%) doped heavy metal oxide (HMO) based zinc lead borate glasses from the measurement of their absorption, emission spectra and also different physical properties. From the XRD, DSC profiles, the glass nature and glass thermal properties have been studied. The measured emission spectrum of Eu3+ glass has revealed five transitions (5D0-->7F0, 7F1, 7F2, 7F3 and 7F4) at 578, 591, 613, 654 and 702 nm, respectively, with lambdaexci=392 nm (7F0-->5L6). In the case of Tb3+:ZLB glass, four emission transitions such as (5D4-->7F6, 7F5, 7F4 and 7F3) that are located at 489, 542, 585 and 622 nm, respectively, have been measured with lambdaexci=374 nm. For all these emission bands decay curves have been plotted to evaluate their lifetimes and the emission processes that arise in the glasses have been explained in terms of energy level schemes.     

Revision of structural properties of GdBO3 nanopowders doped with Eu3+ ions through spectroscopic studies

Monoclinic Gd(1-x)Eu(x)BO(3) nanopowders were successfully synthesized using a modified Pechini method. The crystal structure of the prepared materials was revised and confirmed using several techniques such as: IR, XRD, TEM, Raman spectroscopy and EDX analysis. The obtained material was comprised of particles, consisting of parts with the average size 350 nm. The luminescence properties of the prepared phosphors with different concentrations of Eu(3+) ions were characterized by excitation and emission spectra and its kinetic decay. The Judd-Ofelt parameters (Ω(2), Ω(4)), quantum efficiency, η, and chromaticity coordinates were also calculated.     

ESR and optical study of Cu2+ doped calcium malonate dihydrate

The ESR study of Cu(2+) doped calcium malonate dihydrate has been done at room temperature. Four magnetically in-equivalent sites for Cu(2+) have been observed. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters evaluated with the fitting of spectra to rhombic symmetry crystalline field are for Cu(2+) site (I): g(x)=2.0963+/-0.0002, g(y)=2.1316+/-0.0002, g(z)=2.4137+/-0.0002, A(x)=(32+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(y)=(34+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(z)=(49+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), for site (II): g(x)=2.0668+/-0.0002, g(y)=2.0800+/-0.0002, g(z)=2.3561+/-0.0002, A(x)=(34+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(y)=(36+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(z)=(51+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), for site (III): g(x)=2.0438+/-0.0002, g(y)=2.0623+/-0.0002, g(z)=2.2821+/-0.0002, A(x)=(34+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(y)=(36+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(z)=(53+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), and for site (IV): g(x)=2.0063+/-0.0002, g(y)=2.0241+/-0.0002, g(z)=2.2357+/-0.0002, A(x)=(35+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(y)=(37+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1), A(z)=(54+/-2)x10(-4)cm(-1). The ground state wave function of Cu(2+) has also been determined. The g-anisotropy has been estimated and compared with the experimental value. Further with the help of optical study the nature of bonding of metal ion with different ligands in the complex has been discussed.     

Sodium and silver phosphate glasses doped with chlorides of Fe,Mn and Zn

A number of samples of sodium and silver phosphate glasses doped with various compositions of some transition metals viz. iron, manganese and zinc chlorides alongwith undoped samples of sodium and silver phosphate glasses were synthesized and characterized by X-ray diffraction, IR spectral, electrical conductivity and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The glass transition temperature (T _g) and crystallization temperature (T _c) values obtained from DSC curves were found to increase with increasing concentration of the dopant Fe/Mn/Zn chlorides in both sodium and silver phosphate glasses and the following sequence is observed: T _g(–FeCl₃)>T _g(–MnCl₂)>T _g(–ZnCl₂) T _c(–FeCl₃)>T _c(–MnCl₂)>T _c(–ZnCl₂) The increase in T _g and T _c values indicate enhanced chemical durability of the doped glasses. The electrical conductivity values and the results of FTIR spectral studies have been correlated with the structural changes in the glass matrix by the addition of different transition metal cations as dopants.     

ESR and optical studies of Cu2+ doped zinc glutamate dihydrate

The ESR study of the Cu2+ doped zinc glutamate dihydrate is carried out at room temperature. Two magnetically nonequivalent sites for Cu2+ are observed. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are determined with the fitting of spectra to rhombic symmetry crystalline field. The parameters are as follows: Cu2+(I): gx=2.0170±0.0002, gy=2.0768±0.0002, gz=2.2334±0.0002, Ax=(74±2)×10(-4), Ay=(99±2)×10(-4), Az=(134±2)×10(-4) cm(-1)and Cu2+(II): gx=2.0180±0.0002, gy=2.0550±0.0002, gz=2.1633±0.0002, Ax=(100±2)×10(-4), Ay=(100±2)×10(-4), Az=(115±2)×10(-4) cm(-1). The ground state wave function is also determined. The g-anisotropy is evaluated and compared with the experimental value. Using the data of optical absorption study undertaken at room temperature the nature of bonding in the complex is also discussed.     

Interaction of Mn2+ ions with phosphatidic acid containing liposomes

The apparent binding constants of the Mn²⁺ binding to phosphatidic acid/phosphatidylcholine liposomes were determined by the use of e.p.r. spectroscopy. A strong dependence of the apparent binding constant on the bulk concentration was observed. This behaviour is explained by the use of the Gouy-Chapman theory, taking into account reduction of the surface charge by the binding of Mn²⁺ ions. The intrinsic binding constant of Mn²⁺ to phosphatidic acid was determined to be K_I 4 mol⁻¹ dm³. At divalent cation concentrations where aggregation and fusion become important, the surface charge is compensated by the bound ions.     

Sodium ibuprofen dihydrate and anhydrous

(R,S)-(±)-ibuprofen sodium salt (racemate) dihydrate (SID) was dehydrated and the physicochemical properties of SID and the anhydrous forms (SIA) were compared by different analytical techniques (scanning electron microscopy, helium pychnometry, differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray powder diffractometry). The dehydration of SID, followed by thermogravimetry in isothermal conditions, allowed to calculate the activation energy of the dehydration process and to predict the mechanism of dehydration. Dehydration occurred in one step and the activation energy was rather low, indicating the ease of water removal from the crystal. The mechanism of dehydration followed a three dimensional diffusion (Jander equation). Similarly to the dehydration, the hydration process was followed under isothermal conditions by exposing the anhydrous powder at 64% RH at different temperatures. The mechanism of hydration was governed by a two dimensional diffusion and the energy associated to the process was very low, indicating the ease of crystal hydration. The driving force for the hydration is higher than that for the dehydration. From a thermodynamic point of view this fact may explain why the hydrated form is more stable than the anhydrous one. Solubilities, determined at different temperatures in water and in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8), showed that SID is more soluble in water than SIA for temperatures higher than approximately 283 K. On the contrary, in phosphate buffer SIA is always more soluble than SID in the temperature range considered for the experiments. Drug release reflects the solubility in water and phosphate buffer previously reported.     

Optical characterization of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions doped cadmium lithium alumino fluoro boro tellurite glasses

This article reports on the development and spectral results of Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions doped cadmium lithium alumino fluoro boro tellurite (CLiAFBT) glasses in the following composition. 40TeO2-30B2O3-10CdO-10Li2O-10AlF3 (Hostglass) (40-x)TeO2-30B2O3-10CdO-10Li2O-10AlF3-xEu2O3 (40-x)TeO2-30B2O3-10CdO-10Li2O-10AlF3-xTb4O7 where x=0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25 mol%. Glass amorphous nature and thermal properties have been studied using the XRD and DSC profiles. From the emission spectra of Eu(3+):glasses, five emission transitions have been observed at 578 nm, 592 nm, 612 nm, 653 nm, 701 nm and are assigned to the transitions (5)D(0)→(7)F(0), (7)F(1,)(7)F(2), (7)F(3) and (7)F(4), respectively, with λ(exci)=392 nm ((7)F(0)→(5)L(6)). In case of Tb(3+):glasses, four emission transitions ((5)D(4)→(7)F(6,)(7)F(5), (7)F(4) and (7)F(3)) are observed at 488 nm, 543 nm, 584 nm and 614 nm, respectively, with λ(exci)=376 nm. Decay curves and energy level diagrams have been plotted to evaluate the life times and to analyze the emission mechanism.     

Theoretical investigations of the EPR parameters for Cr3+ and Mn4+ ions in PbTiO3 crystals

The complete high-order perturbation formulas of EPR parameters (g factors g( parallel), g( perpendicular) and zero-field splitting D), containing the crystal-field (CF) mechanism and charge-transfer (CT) mechanism (the latter is omitted in crystal-field theory which is often used to study the EPR parameters), are established from a cluster approach for 3d3 ions in tetragonal octahedral sites. According to the calculations based on these formulas, the EPR parameters g( parallel), g( perpendicular) and zero-field splitting D for Cr3+ and Mn4+ ions in PbTiO3 crystals are explained reasonably. The calculations show that (i) the sign of g-shift Deltag(i)(CT) (=g(i)-g(s), where g(s)=2.0023 is free-electron value and i= parallel and perpendicular) in CT mechanism is opposite to, but that of D(CT) is the same as, the corresponding signs in the CF mechanism and (ii) the relative importance of CT mechanism for the high valence state 3d3 ion (e.g., Mn4+) is large and so the contributions to EPR parameters from CT mechanism should be taken into account. The different sign of splitting D and the different defect structure for Cr3+ and Mn4+ impurity centers in PbTiO3 crystals are also suggested from the calculations. The results are discussed.     

EPR, optical and infrared absorption studies of Mn2+ ions doped in zinc malate trihydrate single crystal

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies have been carried out on Mn2+ ions doped in zinc malate trihydrate single crystals in the temperature range 123-413 K on X-band frequency. The EPR spectrum at room temperature exhibits a group of five fine structure transitions each splits into six hyperfine components. Angular variation studies reveal that Mn2+ ions enter the lattice substitutionally. From the observed EPR spectrum, the spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated. The variation of zero-field splitting parameter (D) with temperature is measured. From the optical absorption spectrum, the crystal field splitting parameter Dq and the Racah interelectronic repulsion parameters B and C have been evaluated. The infrared spectrum exhibits bands characteristic of the carboxylic acid salts.     

ESR and optical study of Mn2+-doped sodium hydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate

ESR study of Mn(2+)-doped sodium hydrogen orthophosphate dihydrate (SHOD) single crystals is done at room temperature. The Mn(2+) spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated employing a large number of resonant line positions observed for different orientations of the external magnetic field. The values of g, A, B, D, E and a are: 2.0042+/-0.0002, 86+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 83+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 238+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 76+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 13+/-1 x 10(-4)cm(-1) for site I and 2.0032+/-0.0002, 86+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 83+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 238+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 76+/-2 x 10(-4)cm(-1), 13+/-1 x 10(-4)cm(-1) for site II, respectively. The optical absorption study of the crystal is also done. The observed bands are assigned as transitions from the (6)A(1g)(S) ground state to various excited quartet levels of a Mn(2+) ion in a cubic crystalline field. These bands are fitted with four parameters B, C, D(q) and alpha and the values found for the parameters are B=777 cm(-1), C=3073 cm(-1), D(q)=755 cm(-1), and alpha=76 cm(-1). On the basis of the data obtained the surrounding crystalline field and the nature of metal-ligand bonding are discussed.     

Emission and electron/ion analysis of the ablated plume from LiYF4 crystals doped with Tm3+ or Nd3+ ions

We performed temporal as well as frequency-resolved emission spectroscopy of the plasma plume generated in vacuum by 355 nm pulsed laser ablation of a LiYF₄:Tm³⁺ crystal (1% Tm³⁺ concentration) and a LiYF₄:Nd³⁺ crystal (1.5% Nd³⁺ concentration). The plume emission spectrum is very rich in features and shows the elemental lines belonging to all the components of the host lattice, either neutral or ionized. The time-resolved analysis of some emission features is discussed and some stream velocities are derived. A possible model for the time evolution of the plume components is reported. The electronic detection technique was used to detect the onset of the plasma plume and to measure the ablation laser fluence threshold.