Local lattice distortions and ligand hyperfine interactions in Eu2+-and Gd3+-doped fluorites

A computer simulation of lattice distortions around an impurity ion Eu²⁺ in MeF₂ fluorites (Me=Ca, Sr, Ba) is reported. ENDOR data on displacements of F⁻ ions distant from an impurity center were used to determine the parameters of the Eu²⁺-F⁻ short-range interaction potential. A theoretical study of the effect of hydrostatic pressure on the impurity-center local structure has been made. A comparison with experimental data permits a conclusion that the calculated ligand displacements are reliable. An experimental ENDOR investigation of the ligand hyperfine interaction (LHFI) in MeF₂:Gd³⁺ crystals (Me=Ca, Sr, Pb, Ba) has been performed. The results obtained in the simulation are used to describe the LHFI of impurity ions with the nearest-neighbor fluorine environment. The contributions to LHFI associated with ligand polarization are shown to constitute 10–50% of the experimental LHFI constants. The inclusion of such contributions results in practically linear dependences of the remaining short-range part of the LHFI on distance. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 40, 2172–2177 (December 1998)     

Superhyperfine interaction in the trigonal center BaF2: Gd3+ and the lattice distortion analysis in the vicinity of the impurity ion

The constants of the superhyperfine interaction of Gd³⁺ with the ¹⁹F nuclear spins in the first four coordination shells were determined from the ENDOR spectra of a trigonal BaF₂: Gd³⁺ center. These data were used for analysis of the crystalline lattice distortions in the vicinity of the impurity ion. It was found that the largest displacements of fluorine nuclei occurred in the vicinity of the ion compensator and the impurity ion. To calculate the anion positions within the first coordinate shell, whose electron-nuclear interaction with Gd³⁺ depends considerably on chemical bonds in the Gd³⁺F ₈ ^? complex, an empirical model is used for the isotropic constants of the superhyperfine interaction of Gd³⁺ with fluorine nuclei in cubic centers, with allowance made for the impurity ion polarization.     

Local structure of bivalent copper centers in SrF2 crystals: An ENDOR spectroscopic study

Structural distortions of the SrF₂ crystal lattice near the bivalent copper impurity Jahn-Teller center are investigated by the ENDOR method (v=9.3 GHz, T=4.2 K). The approximate directions and the magnitudes of displacements of a Cu²⁺ impurity ion and its surrounding F^? ions are determined with respect to one of the anionic networks in the crystal matrix. The tensor components for the ligand hyperfine interaction (LHFI) with fluorine ions separated from the impurity by a distance R≤6.2 Å are obtained from the angular dependences of the location of the ENDOR resonance lines. It is found that the parameters of magnetic interactions between the impurity and these ligands contain the contributions determined by the covalence of bonds in the impurity complex and the polarization of electron shells of the ligands.     

Ligand electron-nuclear double resonance of <Emphasis Type="Italic">T</Emphasis><Subscript>1</Subscript> Trigonal Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> centers in CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript> with a mixed oxygen-fluorine environment

This paper reports on the results of ligand electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) investigations of T₁ trigonal ¹⁵⁷Gd³⁺ centers in the CaF₂ compound. It is experimentally found that the nearest environment of an impurity center contains only one ¹⁹F ion. Anions in the other coordination shells are identical to those in the pure CaF₂ crystal. However, ¹⁹F ions in these shells are displaced from their ideal positions in the lattice. The parameters of the ligand hyperfine interaction (LHFI) for ¹⁹F nuclei and their coordinates and displacements with respect to the positions in the lattice of the pure CaF₂ crystal are determined. It is demonstrated that the unusual isotropic LHFI constant A _s >0 for Gd³⁺ ions in the lattice with a mixed oxygen-fluorine nearest environment can be associated with the strong polarization of impurity centers in accordance with the empirical model proposed in [1], provided the structural model of the nearest environment of impurities in the T₁ centers [2] is correct. This structural model is confirmed by the analysis of the isotropic hyperfine constant A(s) for ¹⁵⁷Gd³⁺ centers.     

Observation of defect clustering in Gd-doped calcium fluoride

Abstract

Solid solutions Ca_1-xGd_xF_2+x for 3 × 10^?7≤ x ≤10^?1 have been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and ionic thermal currents (ITC). The EPR experiments show the presence of two single-ion sites a cubic and a tetragonal Gd³⁺ center which co-exist with comparable abundances for intermediate impurity concentrations. The cubic center predominates at very low and high concentrations. Seven different relaxation processes have been identified from the ITC spectra and the variation of their intensity vs. x was measured. The absolute concentrations of the cubic and nn Gd³⁺ dipoles were calculated. The scavenging of interstitial fluorines by the neutral clusters explains both the abundance of cubic sites at high concentration and the variety of orientable clusters detected by ITC.     

Electron nuclear double resonance of the cubic Dy3+ center in the KZnF3 single crystal

ENDOR measurements on the¹⁹F^? nuclei in the first four shells of KZnF₃ containing Dy³⁺ ions in the cubic site are reported. The values and signs of the hyperfine and transferred hyperfine interaction parameters are determined. The local deformation of the crystal lattice in the vicinity of the impurity ion is estimated. The theoretical analysis of the THFI parameters for the first coordination shell of the F^? ions has been carried out. For the Dy³⁺ ion the influence of spin polarization of the closed 5s and 5p shells is considered for the first time. Spin polarization is shown to play a significant role in the mechanisms of rare-earth ion-ligand coupling.     

Local structure of titanium pair centers in SrF2 crystals: EPR and ENDOR spectroscopic studies

The local structure of titanium pair centers in SrF₂: Ti crystals is investigated using electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy. It is found that titanium pair centers with spin moment S=2 and tetragonal symmetry of the magnetic properties are formed in SrF₂: Ti cubic crystals under certain growth conditions and during annealing. The tensor components of the fine and ligand hyperfine structures in the EPR and ENDOR spectra are determined. A model of the Ti⁺-Ti³⁺ paramagnetic dimer is proposed. This model provides an adequate interpretation of both the ferromagnetic nature of the exchange interaction and the observed displacements of four ligands in the first coordination sphere of titanium impurity ions in directions perpendicular to the impurity ion-ligand bonds.     

Ligand hyperfine interaction in Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> tetragonal centers in CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript> and SrF<Subscript>2</Subscript> and the structure of the impurity nearest surroundings

ENDOR experimental spectra of Gd³⁺ tetragonal impurity centers in CaF₂ and SrF₂ crystals were used to determine the superhyperfine interaction (SHFI) constants of the impurity with ¹⁹F nuclear spins of its first coordination sphere and the compensator ion. The distances in the Cd³⁺F₉ complex were estimated within the model of isotropic SHFI constants suggested in [1]. An analysis of the data on the SHFI and spin-Hamiltonian constants [2] in terms of the superposition model indicates significant changes in the contributions (due to the Gd³⁺ mixed states) to these parameters for the tetragonal centers in comparison with the corresponding contributions for the cubic and trigonal centers in the same crystals.     

Application of the sublattice method to the investigation of phonon spectra and frequency density of fluorite-structure crystals

Phonon spectra and state densities of MeF₂ (Me = Ca, Sr, Cd, Ba, or Pb) crystals are calculated in the basis of sublattice state vectors using the Born–Mayer model. The phonon spectra and the sublattice state densities are calculated in the field of the second frozen sublattice. It is demonstrated that optical crystal branches are mainly due to oscillations of fluorine ions; moreover, the topology of optical branches in the spectrum and the crystal state densities are close to the topology of the spectra and state densities of the fluorine sublattice in the frozen metal sublattice. Exception is CaF₂ whose ion and cation masses are close in values.     

Ion channeling study of lattice distortions in chromium-doped SrTiO3 crystals

The results of ion channeling studies of lattice distortions in SrTiO₃: Cr single crystals are presented. Two types of single crystals containing the same amount of Cr impurities but differing in stoichiometry have been investigated. The single crystals grown by the Verneuil method have the compositions of standard-grown SrTiO₃: Cr (0.05 at % Cr), whereas the single crystals grown with a strontium deficiency and a chromium compensating amount have the composition Sr_0.9995TiO₃ (0.05 at % Cr). Analysis of the angular channeling spectra indicates that, in crystals of both types, the main defects are Cr impurities located in octahedral sites. In the SrTiO₃: Cr crystals, impurity atoms manifest themselves as Cr⁴⁺ with tetragonal Jahn-Teller distortions of the surrounding lattice. In the Sr_0.9995TiO₃: Cr crystals grown with a Sr deficiency, the characteristic displacements of Ti ions in the third coordination sphere of the Jahn-Teller center Cr⁴⁺ exhibit the effect of interaction of the center with a neighboring vacancy in the Sr sublattice.     

EPR,ENDOR and optical spectroscopy of Yb3+ ion in KZnF3 single crystals

The paramagnetic center of tetragonal symmetry formed by the Yb³⁺ ion in the KZnF₃ crystal has been studied using methods of EPR, ENDOR and optical spectroscopy. The location of the impurity ion and the structural model of the complex differing from the model of the Yb³⁺ center in KMgF₃ have been established. The empirical scheme of the energy levels of the Yb³⁺ ion has been found. The parameters of its interaction with the crystal electrostatic field and the hyperfine interaction with ligands of the nearest environment have been determined. The parameters of the crystal field were used for the analysis of the distortions of the crystal lattice in the vicinity of Yb³⁺. The parameters of the transferred hyperfine interaction have been calculated for the distances between Yb³⁺ and F⁻ ions of the nearest environment obtained taking into account the found distortions. They are in good agreement with the experimental values.     

Changes in the structure of the Rb2NaYF6: Yb3+ crystal upon transition from the cubic to tetragonal phase

The pattern of lattice distortions occurring in the vicinity of Yb³⁺ ions during the transition of the Rb₂NaYF₆: Yb³⁺ crystal from the cubic to tetragonal phase has been revealed using all the parameters of the empirically found crystal fields for paramagnetic centers of the Yb³⁺ ions with cubic and tetragonal symmetry. It has been shown that the YbF₆ octahedra are rotated about the fourfold axis through an angle approximately equal to 1.2°. Moreover, the octahedra themselves are deformed so that the F^? ions symmetrically located in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation come close to the impurity ion at a distance of 0.0004 nm. The fluoride ions located on the axis of rotation, conversely, move away from the Yb³⁺ ion at a distance of 0.0005 nm. Based on the obtained results, it has been concluded that the total condensate of order parameters of the studied phase transition involves not only the critical rotations of octahedral groups but also the noncritical displacements of atoms in the rotated octahedra.     

Structure and Metastability of MF<Subscript>2</Subscript> (M = Ca,Sr, Ba) Fine Powders Mechanochemically Doped with Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Ions

In the paper thermal treatment investigations of the MF₂ (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) fine powders mechanochemically doped with Er³⁺ ions using electron paramagnetic resonance and X-ray diffraction are presented. It is shown that the prepared samples are found in the nonequilibrium metastable state characterized by the high concentration of the cationic vacancies and prevalence of the cubic symmetry-doped Er³⁺ ion centers. Vacancies formed when the deformation exceeds the elastic limit serve both as the means for a nonlocal charge compensation and a route for mechanically activated diffusion. Annealing brings the powders to the ground state with the most of the vacancies healed and the trigonal symmetry of the impurity Er³⁺ centers in SrF₂ and BaF₂ due to the local compensation by the interstitial fluorine ion.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Gd3+ ions in Ca1 − x − y Y x Gd y F2 + x + y crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Ca_{1 ? x ? y} Y _x Gd _y F_{2 + x + y} single crystals has revealed spectra that are not typical of gadolinium-doped CaF₂ crystals. These spectra have a nearly tetragonal symmetry and are most probably caused by Gd³⁺ ions localized in yttrium clusters. Weak spectra of tetragonal Gd³⁺ centers, whose parameters are close to those of a cubic gadolinium center caused by an isolated Gd³⁺ ion, have been also detected. These centers are attributed to isolated Gd³⁺ ions localized near octahedral rare-earth clusters or their associations.     

Local structure of Tm<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> impurity centers in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis>F<Subscript>2</Subscript> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis> = Ca,Sr, Ba) fluoride crystals

The local structure of Tm²⁺ and Yb³⁺ cubic impurity centers in MeF₂: Tm²⁺ and MeF₂: Yb³⁺ (Me = Ca, Sr, Ba) fluoride crystals, as well as Yb³⁺ trigonal and tetragonal impurity centers in MeF₂: Yb ³⁺ crystals, is calculated within the shell model in the pair potential approximation.     

Mössbauer study of spin-spin relaxation of Fe3+ ions in the presence of other paramagnetic ions

Mössbauer spectroscopy has been used to study the influence of paramagnetic ions, viz. Cu²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺ Mn²⁺, Gd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ on the spin-spin relaxation time of Fe³⁺ ions in amorphous frozen aqueous solutions. It is found that these ions shorten the relaxation time, but the effect is much smaller than suggested earlier on the basis of measurements of relaxation of Fe³⁺ in an α-Al₂O₃ matrix. It is also found that S-state ions have a greater influence on the relaxation time than other paramagnetic ions. The spectra obtained in presence of S-state impurity ions could only be fitted by allowing the individual transition probabilities to vary independently.     

Hyperfine interaction in 155Gd3+ and 157Gd3+ in Bi2Mg3(NO3)12 · 24H2O

The hyperfine interaction in ¹⁵⁵Gd³⁺ and ¹⁵⁷Gd³⁺, present as an impurity is a single crystal of double nitrate salt, has been measured by means of ENDOR at about 1.5 K. Various higher order hyperfine interactions could be distinguished.     

Local structure of Gd<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> impurity centers in a CdF<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystal

The local crystal structure of Gd³⁺ and Eu²⁺ cubic impurity centers in cadmium fluoride is calculated within the shell model in the pair potential approximation. The local compressibility of the cationic and anionic sublattices of the host lattice is determined in the vicinity of the Gd³⁺ (Eu²⁺) impurity ion.     

A phototropic center and distribution of the chromium impurity in rare-earth garnet crystals

Crystals of two types, namely, Gd₃Sc₂Al₃O₁₂ doped by Ca²⁺ and Cr³⁺ ions and Gd₃Sc₂Ga₃O₁₂ doped by Nd³⁺ and Cr³⁺, are studied using x-ray diffraction. In order to elucidate how an impurity is embedded in the lattice, its effect on the electron density distribution and microstrains of the crystal lattice is investigated. It is shown that chromium ions can occupy the lattice sites located predominantly in the octahedral environment of the oxygen ligands.