Manifestations of hyperfine interaction in optical spectra of KY3F10:Ho

We report on the first observation of the well-resolved hyperfine structure in optical spectra of the KY₃F₁₀:Ho³⁺ single crystals. Some interesting peculiarities of this structure and the origin of the observed forbidden transitions are discussed.     

Theoretical calculations of the optical band positions and spin-Hamiltonian parameters for Yb at the tetragonal Y site of KY3F10 crystal

The six optical band positions and six spin-Hamiltonian parameters [g factors g_∥, g_⊥ and hyperfine structure constants A_∥(¹⁷¹Yb³⁺), A_⊥(¹⁷¹Yb³⁺), A_∥(¹⁷³Yb³⁺), A_⊥(¹⁷³Yb³⁺)] for Yb³⁺ ion at the tetragonal Y³⁺ site of KY₃F₁₀ crystal are calculated from a diagonalization (of energy matrix) method. In the method, the Hamiltonian of energy matrix contains the free-ion, crystal-field interaction, Zeeman (or magnetic) interaction and hyperfine interaction terms and so a 14×14 complete energy matrix for 4f¹³ ion in tetragonal crystal-field and under an external magnetic field is constructed. Diagonalizing the energy matrix, these optical and EPR spectral data are calculated together and the calculated results are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values. The signs of hyperfine structure constants A_∥, A_⊥ for the isotopes ¹⁷¹Yb³⁺ and ¹⁷³Yb³⁺ in KY₃F₁₀ are suggested. The results are discussed.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance parameters and local structure for Gd3+ in KY3F10

The electron paramagnetic resonance parameters, zero-field splittings (ZFSs) b₂⁰, b₄⁰, b₄⁴, b₆⁰, b₆⁴ and the g factors for Gd³⁺ on the tetragonal Y³⁺ site in KY₃F₁₀ are theoretically studied from the superposition model for the ZFSs and the approximation formula for the g factor containing the admixture of the ground ⁸S_7/2 and the excited ⁶L_7/2 (L=P, D, F, G) states via the spin-orbit coupling interactions, respectively. By analysing the above ZFSs, the local structure information for the impurity Gd³⁺ is obtained, i.e., the impurity-ligand bonding angles related to the four-fold (C₄) axis for the impurity Gd³⁺ center are found to be about 0.6° larger than those for the host Y³⁺ site in KY₃F₁₀. The calculated ZFSs based on the above angular distortion as well as the g factors are in reasonable agreement with the observed values. The present studies on the ZFSs and the local structure would be helpful to understand the optical and magnetic properties of this material with Gd dopants.      

Simulation of domain patterns in BaTiO3

Computer simulations of domain structure were performed within the continuous phenomenological time-dependent Ginzburg–Landau–Devonshire model including electrostatic long-range interactions. Calculations are done on cube or rectangle area blocks with periodic boundary conditions, employing the previously proposed method consisting in eliminating the elastic field using Euler's equations and solving the kinetic equations in Fourier space. The authors demonstrate that both strong anisotropy of the Ginzburg gradient interaction and realistic estimation of elastic and electrostatic long-range interactions are crucial for correct domain wall properties of BaTiO₃-type ferroelectrics. Domain architecture obtained from simulations performed with the authors' model parameters for BaTiO₃ is found to be in reasonable agreement with experiment.     

热解法制备KY3F10: Yb, RE(RE=Er, Ho, Tm)纳米晶及其特性研究

有机染料和量子点等荧光标记材料存在发射光谱宽、 光热稳定性差和细胞毒性等缺陷, 限制了其在生物学研究中的应用. 镧系掺杂上转换发光材料不存在"自发荧光"和"光漂白"现象, 灵敏度高, 长期稳定性好, 利于活体检测. 论文首次采用热解法, 以油酸和十八烯为表面活性剂和溶剂, 制备了KY₃F₁₀: Yb, RE(RE=Er, Ho, Tm) 纳米晶. 研究了油酸含量对产物形貌和粒径尺寸的影响, 当油酸与十八烯的比例为3:1时, 为制备类球形单分散纳米晶体的最佳工艺条件, 在980 nm半导体激光器激发下, 样品KY₃F₁₀: Yb, RE(RE=Er, Ho, Tm) 分别发射出较强的黄绿、 绿色和蓝色光, 这些结果显示KY₃F₁₀: Yb, RE(RE=Er, Ho, Tm) 纳米粒子作为生物探针在多重荧光标记方面具有优异的特性.     

Theoretical investigation of the optical spectra and local lattice structure for Mn5+ in a Sr10(VO4)6F2 crystal

In this paper, the relationships between the optical spectra and local lattice structure for Mn⁵⁺ in a Sr₁₀(VO₄)₆F₂ crystal are established by the crystal- and ligand-field theory. The effect of spin–orbital coupling between the central 3d² ions and ligand ions has been considered in the full energy matrix. Using the matrix and superposition model formula, we have calculated the optical spectra and local lattice structure parameters of Mn⁵⁺ in Sr₁₀(VO₄)₆F₂ with a C_3v system. The calculated results are in good agreement with the observed values. In addition, the trigonal compressed distortions of the (MnO₄)^3? centers in Sr₁₀(VO₄)₆F₂ crystals are also obtained from the calculations.     

The Degenerate Vibrations of BCl3, BBr3 and BI3 with Application of Keating Coordinates

The experimental works of vibrational spectroscopy and normal coordinate analyses for BCl₃, BBr₃ and BI₃ are reviewed extensively. Harmonic force fields of the E' species are produced using isotopic frequencies and Coriolis constants as additional data, respectively. The usefulness of Keating coordinates versus valence coordinates as basis of force field approximations is discussed. The conclusions are not unequivocal, but they go in favour of the Keating coordinates when the reliability of the different computations is taken into account. Boron trichloride is treated specifically in some detail. Final force fields are proposed for the title molecules with the aid of the mass influence on Coriolis constants.     

Characteristics of photoluminescence, thermoluminescence and thermal degradation in Eu-doped BaMgAl10O17 and SrMgAl10O17

The relation between photoluminescence and thermoluminescence from Eu-doped BAM (BaMgAl₁₀O₁₇) and SAM (SrMgAl₁₀O₁₇) are investigated. The emission peak of SAM:Eu shifts from 463 to 489 nm whereas that of BAM:Eu only shifts 3 nm at 450 nm as temperature decreased from 300 to 50 K under 146 nm excitation. This can be explained by the fact that there are Beevers–Ross (BR) and mid-oxygen (mO) sites for Eu ions in SAM. The emission peak around 463 nm from SAM:Eu is ascribed to Eu ions in the mO site, while the peak around 489 nm is ascribed to ones in the BR site in SAM host. From the result of thermal degradation of SAM:Eu, it is confirmed that the Eu ions located at mO site are easy to degrade compared with those located at BR site. The thermal degradation of BAM:Eu phosphor becomes large with the increase in Eu concentration. We suggest that the thermal degradation of BAM:Eu phosphor is due to the tendency of Eu ions to occupy the mO site.     

Native defects and Pr impurities in orthorhombic CaTiO3 by first-principles calculations

Formation energies of native defects and Pr impurities in orthorhombic CaTiO₃ are explored using the first-principles calculations. The Ca vacancy (V_Ca), Ti vacancy (V_Ti) and Ca antisite (Ca_Ti) are found to be energetically preferable. The Ti antisite (Ti_Ca) and O vacancy (V_O) are not energetically favorable in the wide range of Fermi level. In Pr-doped CaTiO₃, Pr substituting for Ca (Pr_Ca) is likely to form under condition A in which CaTiO₃ is in equilibrium with CaO and O₂. Under condition B (TiO₂, CaTiO₃ and O₂ are in equilibrium), Pr_Ti defect is energetically preferable depending on the Fermi levels. Several native defects and the two sites of Pr impurities in CaTiO₃ are coincided with several different defects in Pr-doped CaTiO₃ reported in the literature. Based on the present calculations, we can elucidate that the Ca deficiency design of the traditional formula Ca_1−xV_Ca(x/2)Pr_xTiO₃ is not the best for efficient red photoluminescence, which is realized via the experimental measurements.     

Rotational spectra of gauche perfluoro-n-butane, C4F10; perfluoro-iso-butane, (CF3)3CF; and tris(trifluoromethyl)methane, (CF3)3CH

The microwave spectra of the gauche conformer of perfluoro-n-butane, n-C₄F₁₀, of perfluoro-iso-butane, (CF₃)₃CF, and of tris(trifluoromethyl)methane, (CF₃)₃CH, have been observed and assigned. The rotational and centrifugal distortion constants for gauche n-C₄F₁₀ are: A = 1058.11750(7) MHz, B = 617.6832(1) MHz, C = 552.18794(1) MHz, Δ_J = 0.0257(5) kHz, δ_J = 0.0052(3) kHz. A C-C-C-C dihedral angle, ω, of ∼55° has been determined. These values agree well with those obtained from a coupled cluster (CCSD/cc-PVTZ) calculation. The rotational and centrifugal distortion constants for iso-C₄F₁₀ and iso-C₄HF₉ are: B_o = 816.4519(4) MHz, D_J = 0.023(2) kHz, and B_o = 903.6985(25) MHz, D_J = 0.043(4) kHz, respectively. The dipole moment of iso-C₄F₁₀ and iso-C₄HF₉ have been measured and found to be 0.0338(8) and 1.69(9) D, respectively.     

A high-resolution X-ray scattering study of the effect of defects on the first-order transition in KMnF3

A high-resolution X-ray scattering study of the influence of impurities on the cubic to tetragonal first-order phase transition of KMnF₃ is presented. It is shown that Ca⁺⁺ ions substituted for Mn⁺⁺ or Na⁺ ions substituted for K⁺ ions at a 1% concentration can influence drastically both the nature and the critical fluctuations of this transition. A qualitative attempt of interpretation in terms of random stress effects is presented.     

Assessment of damage ranges by measurements of the refractive index in ion implanted LiNbO3 and LiTaO3

Ion implantation in LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ produces radiation damage by nuclear collisions. The amorphisation of the lattice reduces the refractive index of the material. In the case of fast ion bombardment with helium this damage layer is buried below the surface. The refractive index profile which then exists is suitable for an optical waveguide on the surface which supports several modes. Analysis of the refractive index profile yields the damage distribution in the crystal and this in turn can be compared with theoretical estimates of the damage production and ion ranges.

Our analyses show that in the high energy range from 0.5 to 2.0 MeV the depth of the damage is predominantly controlled by the electronic stopping.     

Luminescence of La3F3[Si3O9]:Ce

The luminescence properties of Ce³⁺ in La₃F₃[Si₃O₉] are reported. Excitation and emission bands corresponding to 4f¹→5d¹ transitions of Ce³⁺ were identified. The center of gravity of the 5d states lies at remarkable high energy (43.2×10³ cm⁻¹) for Ce³⁺ in a silicate compound. This high value is attributed to the combined oxygen/fluoride coordination of the Ce³⁺ ion. Emission from the lowest 4f5d level to the ²F_5/2 and ²F_7/2 levels was found at 32.4×10³ and 30.4×10³ cm⁻¹. These results are compared with literature data on silicates and fluorides. From the values found for Ce³⁺, predictions are made for the positions of the 4f5d bands of Pr³⁺ and Er³⁺ in La₃F₃[Si₃O₉]. For both ions, it is concluded that in this host lattice emission is expected from high lying 4fⁿ energy levels.     

A comparative study of electronic structure and magnetic properties of SrCrO3 and SrMoO3

A comparative study of electronic structure and magnetic properties of SrCrO₃ and SrMoO₃ has been carried out using FPLAPW method with density-functional theory. The calculated results suggest that both compounds are nonmagnetic (NM) metal in cubic structures at room temperature, and they exhibit very similar band structure and electronic properties except more extend Mo 4d orbitals than Cr 3d electronic states. However, the electronic structure and magnetic properties exhibit remarkable differences between them in the low temperature phases. SrCrO₃ is with a C-AFM ground state with magnetic moment of 1.18μ_B/Cr in the tetragonal structure, while SrMoO₃ is with a NM ground state in the orthorhombic structure. It is assumed that the extend 4d orbitals may be the reason which results in NM solution at low temperature phase of SrMoO₃.     

Computer modelling of defects and dopants in mixed metal fluorides

This paper describes a computer modelling study of rare earth doping in the mixed metal fluorides LiCaAlF 6 , LiSrAlF 6 and LiYF 4 . All these materials have potential technological applications, providing the motivation to improve understanding of their defect chemistry; in particular the energetics of doping and the sites occupied by dopant ions. Computer modelling is used to calculate the effect of rare earth dopant concentration on the structure of LiYF 4 , and to predict the sites occupied by rare earth dopants and the corresponding form of charge compensation, in LiCaAlF 6 and LiSrAlF 6 .     

Ab initio calculations of electronic structures of SrMoO4 crystals containing F and F color centers

The electronic structures of SrMoO₄ crystals containing F and F⁺ color centers with the lattice structure optimized are studied within the framework of the fully relativistic self-consistent Dirac–Slater theory, using a numerically discrete variational (DV-Xα) method. From the calculation, it is concluded that F and F⁺ color centers have donor energy level in the forbidden band. The electronic transition energies from the donor level to the bottom of the conduction band are 1.855 eV and 2.161 eV, respectively, which correspond to the 670 nm and 575 nm absorption bands. It is predicted that the 670 nm and 575 nm absorption bands originate from the F and F⁺ centers in SrMoO₄ crystals.     

Studies of phase transitions and ferroelastic domain walls in Pb5Al3F19 crystals by optical measurements

Three phase transitions between 100 and 400 K were previously shown by X-ray diffraction measurements. Such results have been confirmed by optical measurements on crystals. The thermal dependence of the birefringence has been determined. A new phase transformation has been shown at around 590 K not only by optical study but also by dielectric measurements. Ferroelastic domain-walls have been visualized. The sequence transition has been discussed taking into account the various space groups.     

Comparison of theoretical and experimental 3He desorption behaviour of titanium tritide films

Helium-3 formed by tritium radioactive decay from tritide layer desorbs at room temperature slowly in a first step, more strongly afterwards. A helium-3 desorption model has been established, based on the positions of He-3 atom and trapping sites in the γ tritide lattice, CaF₂ type, supposed in a perfect state. Theoretical desorption curves as a function of time or helium concentration in the layer has been computed, for metal tritide or deutero-tritide layers. Experimental curves, for a wide tritium concentration range, are given here in the case of titanium layers. They show good agreement with theoretical curves for appropriate parameter values, up to a helium/titanium atomic ratio of 0.25 to 0.30. For higher helium concentrations, rapid helium desorption can be explained by gas bubble growth and percolation, and mechanical degradation of the layer: at this stage, the theoretical model does not apply.