EPR and Optical Absorption Study of Cr3+-Doped Dipotassium Tetrachloropalladate

X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) study of Cr³⁺-doped dipotassium tetrachloropalladate single crystal is done at liquid nitrogen temperature. EPR spectrum shows two sites. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been evaluated by employing hyperfine resonance lines observed in EPR spectra for different orientations of crystal in externally applied magnetic field. The values of spin-Hamiltonian and zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters of Cr³⁺ ion-doped DTP for site I are: g _x  = 2.096 ± 0.002, g _y  = 2.167 ± 0.002, g _z  = 2.220 ± 0.002, D = (89 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, E = (16 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1. EPR study indicates that Cr³⁺ ion enters the host lattice substitutionally replacing K⁺ ion and local site symmetry reduces to orthorhombic. Optical absorption spectra are recorded at room temperature. From the optical absorption study, the Racah parameters (B = 521 cm^?1, C = 2,861 cm^?1), cubic crystal field splitting parameter (Dq = 1,851 cm^?1) and nephelauxetic parameters (h = 2.06, k = 0.21) are determined. These parameters together with EPR data are used to discuss the nature of bonding in the crystal.     

Dominant Cr3+ centers in LiNbO3 under hydrostatic pressure

Low-temperature luminescence spectra of stoichiometric Cr: LiNbO₃ and of congruent Cr, Mg: LiNbO₃ were studied. Cr³⁺ impurity ions preferentially occupy Li⁺ sites (Cr_Li) in the LiNbO₃ crystal lattice, while Cr³⁺ ions substituting for Nb⁵⁺ ions (Cr_Nb) occur in addition to Cr_Li centers in codoped Cr, Mg: LiNbO₃ crystals. Application of a high hydrostatic pressure leads to a transformation of (dominant in concentration) Cr³⁺ centers from low-to high-crystal-field centers. Due to a strong pressure-induced blue shift of the ⁴ T ₂ state resulting in crossing with the ² E state, the replacement of the broad band ⁴ T ₂ → ⁴ A ₂ emission by a narrow R-line emission ² E → ⁴ A ₂ occurs in the luminescence spectra of the samples. This effect of level crossing was observed for the dominant Cr _Li ³⁺ and Cr _Nb ³⁺ centers at pressures which correlated well with estimations based on the ⁴ T ₂-² E energy gap (230 and 1160 cm^?1) and on the rate of their pressure-induced change (14.35 and 11.4 cm^?1/kbar, respectively).     

Laser spectroscopy of spinel microcrystallites in a Cr3+ doped silicate glass

Laser spectroscopy of Cr³⁺ ions makes it possible to follow the crystallization process in a cordiente glass (52 SiO₂, 347 Al₂O₃, 12.5 MgO and 08 Cr₂O₃) Absorption and fluorescence are interpreted by structural considerations showing the variation of Cr³⁺ environment during heat treatment Fluorescence line narrowing is performed at 4 2 K giving information on the detailed crystal structure in MgAl₂O₄ spinel microcrystallites formed during heat treatment The splitting of the ²E level is close to 70 cm^?1 and the ¦2D¦ parameter ranges between 0 95 and 1 35 cm^?1 This wide distribution is associated with the well known disordered distribution of Mg²⁺ and Al³⁺ cations in MgAl₂O₄ spinels.     

EPR study of Fe3+ and Mn2+ in CeO2 and ThO2

Attempts were made to grow CeO₂ and ThO₂ single crystals doped with transition metal ions. Only Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ could be detected by the EPR technique. The EPR spectrum of Fe³⁺ in CeO₂ exhibits the well-known fine structure in cubic fields. The parameters areg=2.0044(1) anda=15.6(1)·10^?4 cm^?1. The hyperfine constantA for⁵⁷Fe in hexahedral coordination was found to be 8.9(1)·10^?4 cm^?1. The EPR spectrum of Mn²⁺ in CeO₂ reveals two cubic Mn²⁺ centers. The parameters for center 1 areg=1.9999(1) andA=86.9(1)·10^?4 cm^?1 and for center 2g=1.9984(1) andA=87.0(1)·10^?4 cm^?1. Heating the Mn doped CeO₂ samples in hydrogen, the Mn²⁺ centers transform from cubic into trigonal centers with approximate values ofg=1.9988(2),A=84.5(6)·10^?4 cm^?1 andD=203(1)·10^?4 cm^?1. The two observed Mn²⁺ centers in ThO₂ exhibita priori axial symmetry with approximate values ofg=2.0006(2),A=88.9(4)·10^?4 cm^?1 andD=33(3)·10^?4 cm^?1.     

Microstructure of pair centers of Cr3+-Cr2+ ions in the KZnF3 crystal

Studies involving the piezospectroscopy method have shown that the symmetry of the pair centers of Cr³⁺-Cr²⁺ ions in the KZnF₃ crystal is tetragonal. In this paper we develop a microscopic model of a pair center. We use the temperature dependence of the integrated intensity of the absorption line to find the effective hopping integral for an e _g electron, t _σσ=205 ± 10 cm⁻¹, and the polaron reduction factor, equal to 0.11. By analyzing the selection rules for exchange-induced electric dipole transitions under double-exchange conditions we identify all the absorption lines of Cr³⁺-Cr²⁺ pairs. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 114, 1421–1429 (October 1998)     

Optical characterization of Cr3+ centers in LiNbO3

Low-temperature luminescence spectra of stoichiometric Cr:LiNbO₃, congruent Cr:LiNbO₃ and congruent Cr,Mg:LiNbO₃ were studied. Dominant low-field and minor high-crystal-field optical centers are the Cr³⁺ impurity ions that preferentially occupy Li⁺ sites (Cr_Li) in the Cr:LiNbO₃ crystals. Low-field centers related to Cr³⁺ substitution of Nb⁵⁺ (Cr_Nb) occur in addition to Cr_Li in co-doped Cr,Mg:LiNbO₃ samples. Application of high hydrostatic pressure leads to the transformation of dominant Cr³⁺ centers from low- to high-field type due to strong pressure-induced blue shift of the ⁴ T ₂ state, resulting in its crossing with the ² E state of Cr³⁺. This level-crossing effect was observed for the dominant Cr³⁺ _Li and Cr³⁺ _Nb centers at pressures that correlate well with estimations based on the ⁴ T ₂-² Eenergy gap (230 cm^-1 and 1160 cm^-1) and on the rate of their pressure-induced change (14.35 and 11.4 cm^-1/kbar, respectively). We also studied inhomogeneous broadeningof the ² E?⁴ A ₂transitions at ambient pressure for the minor high-field “defect” Cr³⁺ _Li centers in congruent LiNbO₃. A fine structure in the spectral response of these centers was observed. The obtained results are discussed on the basis of a microscopic hierarchic model for perturbed Cr³⁺ ions in the LiNbO₃ lattice. Received: 25 June 2001 / Published online: 2 November 2001     

Supertransferred hyperfine structure in EPR of V4+ ion in Ca3In2Ge3O12 garnet

Interaction of an unpaired electron of the tetrahedral V⁴⁺ ion in Ca₃In₂Ge₃O₁₂ garnet with the four nearest In nuclei gives rise to clearly resolved structure of EPR spectra. We report the observation and analysis of these spectra at three frequencies and at temperature 77 K. The temperature dependence between liquid helium and the room temperatures was also studied. Parameters of the spin Hamiltonian are g_∥=1·8735; g_⊥=1·9825; ∣ ¦A∥|=150·4×10^?4cm^?1; ¦ A_⊥¦ = 36·7 × 10^?4 cm^?1. The supertransferred hyperfine interaction was found to be isotropic, absolute value of the corresponding parameter a is 22·1 × 10^?4 cm^?1.     

Spectroscopy of multisites Cr3+ and Nd3+ in yttrium aluminium garnet

Cr³⁺ and Nd³⁺ non-equivalent crystal field sites were observed. By use of a high-resolution dye laser,²E and⁴A₂ splittings, zero-phonon⁴A₂ →²E,²T₁,⁴T₂ transitions and vibronic levels of²E doublets of Cr³⁺ non-equivalent centres were recorded. Energy transfers from Cr³⁺ multisites to Nd³⁺ were studied by site-selective spectroscopy and fluorescence decays.     

Spectroscopic and laser properties of Cr3+:Yb3+:Er3+: fluoride phosphate glass

Sensitization of the fluorescence of Er³⁺ in fluoride phosphate glass containing up to 20 mol% phosphates by codoping with Cr³⁺ and Yb³⁺ is shown. The low order of ligand field strength for Cr³⁺ (Dq/B=2.04) results in broad Cr³⁺ fluorescence overlapping the Yb³⁺ absorption. The electronic energy transfer efficiency approaches 100%. Deviations of donor decay from the Förster law are interpreted in terms of the inhomogeneously acceptor distribution. The electronic energy transfer efficiency of Yb³⁺ → Er³⁺ reaches a maximum value of 75% for glasses containing 20 mol% phosphates. The transfer is shown to be migrationally accelerated by means of GAF-LAF-FB theory. From Judd-Ofelt parameters a stimulated emission cross-section for the transition⁴I_13/2 →⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺ of 6.2×10⁻²⁰ cm² is derived. The c.w. laser action of Er³⁺ by Cr³⁺ excitation and double-step energy transfer is shown. The output is tuned continuously from 1536 to 1596 nm. Flashlamp pumping is also shown.

     

ESR of V3+ in zinc oxide single crystals

Electron spin resonance has been investigated in zinc oxide single crystals containing vanadium. Several groups of ordinary and forbidden transitions can be observed. The experimental results are interpreted with the aid of the spin Hamiltonian, for which the following parameters were determined:g∥=1.945; ⊥=1.937; ¦D¦=750×10^?4 cm^?1, ¦A¦=68 × 10^?4 cm^?1; ¦B ¦=93×10^?4 cm^?1; ¦A?P¦=65×10^?4cm^?1.     

Austauschwechselwirkungen,Intrabandschwingungen und Ti3+-Kristallfeldaufspaltung in dotiertem Al2O3

The absorption spectra of ruby with various Cr concentrations have been studied in the wavelength region between 50 μ and 1 mm at liquid helium and nitrogen temperatures. At liquid helium temperatures two strong absorptions have been found at 37.7 and 106 cm^?1 and weak absorptions at 18.8, 30.7, 33.2 and 43.0 cm^?1. These lines depend on the Cr concentration and vanish at N₂ temperatures. The two strong absorptions have also been observed in Al₂O₃ crystals doped with Ti or V. Sapphire did not show any of these absorptions. The origin of the two strong absorptions in Al₂O₃ crystals doped with Ti, V or Cr are discussed by consideration of magnetic dipole transitions of exchange coupled Cr³⁺ - pairs, the crystal field splitting of Ti³⁺ impurities and impurity — induced lattice modes. The weak absorption lines, on the other hand, may be assigned to transitions between the exchange levels of the second-nearest and fourth-nearest Cr³⁺ pairs if one makes use of the data obtained from the EPR and fluorescence spectra. For the second-nearest Cr³⁺ pairs group theory of the exchange interaction predicts transitions withΔS=2, whereas for the fourth-nearest neighbours no restriction forΔS exists.     

Synthesis and characterisation of Cr3+-containing NASICON-related phases

Chromium-containing NASICON-related phosphates of the type Na_(1+x)Cr_xM_(2−x)P₃O₁₂) (M = Ti, Hf, Zr) have been synthesised by solid state reaction and structurally characterised by Rietveld refinement of the powder X-ray diffraction data. Materials of composition A_(1+x)/2Cr_xZr_(2−x)P₃O₁₂ (A = Cd, Ca, Sr), have also been prepared and characterised. The crystal structure of Na_(1+x)Cr_xM_(2−x)P₃O₁₂ corresponds to R-3c symmetry for x values ranging from 0.15 to 2.00, whereas compounds of composition A_(1+x)/2Cr_xZr_(2−x)P₃O₁₂ corresponding to R-3c are obtained when x ≤ 1.00 for Sr²⁺ and Ca²⁺, and x ≤ 1.50 for Cd²⁺. The polarizing effect of the two different metal ions A and M on the phosphorus atom and the P–O bond was studied by both ³¹P MAS NMR and infrared spectroscopy and shows that the electron density on the phosphorus, and thus the strength of the P–O bonds, are affected by both the interstitial (A) and the structural (M) metal ions.     

Tunable room-temperature cw laser action in Cr3+: GdScGa-Garnet

We report for the first time on tunable room temperature cw laser action of a transition metal laser material. In Cr³⁺:GdScGa-garnet crystals almost the total fluorescence is channelled into the broad band⁴ T ₂→⁴ A ₂ transition. The fluorescence lifetime is τ=120 μs. Laser pumping in the blue-green and yellow-red spectral range yields pump thresholds around 250 mW and slope efficiencies up to 11%. The wavelength of the free running Cr³⁺ laser is centered at 777 nm.     

Charge compensation and the luminescence of Cr3+ in KMgF3

Studies of the photoluminescence spectra of Cr³⁺ ions in KMgF₃ crystals co-doped with Cr³⁺ and Ni²⁺ ions are reported. Several crystal field sites are identified by the different R-line spectra due to the ² E⁴ A ₂ transition and broadband luminescences associated with the ⁴ T ₂⁴ A ₂ transitions. Cr³⁺ ions substituting without local charge compensation on the octahedral Mg²⁺ site give rise to a low temperature R line in photoluminescence at =702.3 nm with a radiative decaytime of 3 ms at T=14 K. At T=300 K this isotropic centre gives rise to an unpolarized broadband ⁴ T ₂⁴ A ₂ emission, which results from the thermal occupancy of an excited ⁴ T ₂ state just above the ² E level which, at lower temperature, gives rise to emission in the R-line. Other crystal field sites are due to some Cr³⁺ ions having Mg²⁺ or K⁺ vacancies in nearest-neighbour positions, these vacancies being required to maintain charge neutrality in doped fluoride perovskites. The Cr³⁺–K⁺ vacancy complex results in the centre having trigonal symmetry, and low temperature, photoluminescence via R ₁ and R ₂ lines at 716.8 nm and 716.0 nm, respectively. Finally, Cr³⁺ ions having a nearest neighbour Mg²⁺ vacancy have tetragonal symmetry, experiencing weak crystal fields. In consequence, the ⁴ T ₂ level lies below ² E and the photoluminescence spectrum at low temperature takes the form of a polarized broad ⁴ T ₂⁴ A ₂ band with peak at 760 nm and radiative decaytime of 54 s.     

EPR and Optical Absorption Study of VO2+-Doped Lithium Hydroxylammonium Sulphate

ABSTRACT

Single-crystal and powder EPR studies of VO²⁺-doped lithium hydroxylammonium sulphate (LiNH₃OHSO₄) were carried out at room temperature. The results indicate the presence of two magnetically inequivalent VO²⁺ sites. The VO²⁺ ion takes up a substitutional position in the host lattice. The angular variation of EPR spectra in three mutually perpendicular planes were used to determine the spin Hamiltonian parameters, and the values obtained were the following: For Site 1, g_x = 2.0249 ± 0.0002, g_y = 1.9698 ± 0.0002, g_z = 1.9552 ± 0.0002, A_x = (51 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_y = (93 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, and A_z = (165 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1; and for Site 2, g_x = 2.0267 ± 0.0002, g_y = 1.9743 ± 0.0002, g_z = 1.9213 ± 0.0002, A_x = (40 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, A_y = (80 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1, and A_z = (155 ± 2) × 10^?4 cm^?1. The optical absorption spectrum recorded at room temperature shows four bands. From the optical and EPR data, various molecular coefficients are evaluated, and the nature of bonding in the crystal is discussed.     

EPR, Optical Absorption and Superposition Model Study of Fe3+-Doped Ammonium Dihydrogen Phosphate Single Crystals

X-band electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies are carried out on Fe³⁺ ions doped in ammonium dihydrogen phosphate (ADP) single crystals at room temperature. The crystal field and spin Hamiltonian parameters are evaluated from the resonance lines obtained at different angular rotations. The obtained values of spin Hamiltonian and zero-field parameters of the Fe³⁺ ion in ADP are: g = 1.994 ± 0.002, |D| = (220 ± 5) × 10^?4 cm^?1 and a = (640 ± 5) × 10^?4 cm^?1. On the basis of EPR data, the site symmetry of the Fe³⁺ ion in the crystal is discussed. The Fe³⁺ ion enters the lattice substitutionally replacing the NH₄ ⁺ sites. The optical absorption of the crystal is also studied at room temperature in the wavelength range of 195–925 nm. The energy values of different orbital levels are calculated. The observed bands are assigned as transitions from the ⁶ A _1g (S) ground state to various excited quartet levels of the Fe³⁺ ion in a cubic crystalline field. From the observed band positions, Racah interelectronic repulsion parameters (B and C), cubic crystal field splitting parameter (D _q ) and Trees correction are calculated. There values are: B = 970, C = 1,923, D _q  = 1,380 cm^?1 and α = 90 cm^?1, respectively. On the basis of EPR and optical data, the nature of bonding in the crystal is discussed. The zero-field splitting (ZFS) parameters are also determined theoretically using B _kq parameters estimated from the superposition model. The values of ZFS parameters thus obtained are |D| = (213 ± 5) × 10^?4 cm^?1 and |E| = (21 ± 5) × 10^?4 cm^?1.     

Light induced charge transfer processes in Cr doped Bi12GeO20 and Bi12SiO20 single crystals

Optical absorption and ESR spectra of Bi₁₂GeO₂₀ doped with Cr were measured before and after illumination with visible light. It was found that Cr⁴⁺ ions in tetrahedral position are responsible for light induced ESR and optical spectra. The g-factor of the center is 1.945 ± 0.002. Crystal field parameters for the Cr⁴⁺ center are D_q = 820 cm^?1 and B = 429cm^?1. The photochromic effect is explained in terms of a Cr⁵⁺?Cr⁴⁺ charge transfer process.     

Spin-spin interaction of Dy3+ ions in KY(WO4)2

The spin-spin interaction of Dy³⁺ ions in a KY(WO₄)₂ single crystal is investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy at a temperature of 4.2 K and a frequency of 9.2 GHz. The EPR spectra of ion pairs located in different coordination shells are analyzed. It is revealed that the considerable contribution to the spin-spin interaction of the nearest neighbor ion pair nn is made not only by the magnetic dipole-dipole interaction but also by the isotropic exchange interaction with the parameter I _nn = (+601 ± 17) × 10^?4cm^?1. The exchange interaction in pairs of more widely spaced ions is substantially weaker: I _5n = (?38 ± 3) × 10^?4cm^?1 and I _9n = (+18 ± 4) × 10^?4cm^?1. For the other ion pairs, the magnetic dipole-dipole interaction dominates. It is found that the EPR spectra of single ions and ion pairs exhibit a superhyperfine structure associated with tungsten nuclei.     

High-frequency tunable EPR spectroscopy of Cr3+ in synthetic forsterite

The electron paramagnetic resonance spectra of isolated and dimer impurity centers of trivalent chromium ions in the octahedral Ml sites in synthetic forsterite are studied in the frequency range of 65–90 GHz. The measurements are performed at 4.2 K in magnetic field from ?0.04 to 0.3 T. The zero-field splitting between spin doublets of the isolated Cr³⁺ ion Δ_s = 66.7 GHz and between spin sublevels of the Cr³⁺-Cr³⁺ dimer Δ_d1 = 71.5 GHz and Δ_d2 = 73.0 GHz is measured directly at zero field. The analysis of the spin Hamiltonian parameters shows that the dimer center consists of a pair of Cr³⁺ ions with an Mg²⁺ vacancy between them replacing three Mg²⁺ ions situated in a quasi-one-dimensional chain aligned parallel to the crystal c-axis. It is found that the exchange interaction in the dimer is ferromagnetic with parameters J_z = 0.47 GHz and J_t = 0.79 GHz.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Dy3+ in cubic ZnSe and Tm3+ in hexagonal CdS single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance has been observed for Dy³⁺ in ZnSe and Tm³⁺ in CdS. For Dy³⁺ doped ZnSe, an isotropic spectrum was observed having well resolved hyperfine lines due to ¹⁶¹Dy and ¹⁶³Dy. The g value obtained was 6.577 ± 0.002 and ¹⁶¹A was 191 ± 1 × 10⁴ cm^?1 and ¹⁶³A was 265 ± 3 × 10^?4 cm^?1. The agreement of the observed g value to g(τ₆) = 6.667 and the point-charge calculations suggest that Dy³⁺ occupies an interstitial (II) site with no local charge compensation. For Tm³⁺ doped in hexagonal CdS, an axial spectrum consistent with g_⊥ = 0, g_∥ = 10.722 ± 0.007, D = 2.57 GHz (crystal field splitting) and ¹⁶⁹A = 1207 ± 5 × 10^?4cm^?1. The large g_∥ value indicates that the Tm ion exits in the trivalent state. This is in reasonable agreement with previous reports of the non-Kramer's state of Tm³⁺.