Fully relativistic analysis of the covalence effects for the isoelectronic 3d ions (Cr, Mn, Fe) in SrTiO3

Fully relativistic calculations of the energy levels, absorption spectra, molecular orbitals (MO) compositions, covalence effects and energies of the charge transfer (CT) transitions for three isoelectronic ions Cr³⁺, Mn⁴⁺, Fe⁵⁺ in the SrTiO₃ (STO) crystal have been performed. The recently developed first-principles approach to the analysis of the absorption spectra based on the first principles discrete variational multi-electron method (DV-ME) (K. Ogasawara et al., Phys. Rev. B 64 (2001) 115413) was used in the calculations. As a result, energy levels of the above ions, their absorption spectra and energies of the lowest CT transitions were all calculated. By performing analysis of the MO population, it was shown that the degree of covalence of the chemical bonds between 3d ions and oxygen ions in SrTiO₃ increases in the following order: Cr³⁺→Mn⁴⁺→Fe⁵⁺, whereas the CT energies monotonically decrease in the same order.     

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.     

A complex first-principles study of the L2,3-edge XANES spectra and crystal field effects for divalent 3d ions in cubic ZnS

A detailed first-principles analysis of the L_2,3 X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectra, crystal field strength 10Dq, covalent effects and molecular orbitals (MO) position for all divalent 3d ions from Sc²⁺ to Cu²⁺ in cubic ZnS is performed in the present paper. The calculations were done in the framework of the first-principles fully relativistic discrete variational multi-electron (DVME) based on numerical solution of the Dirac equation with the local density approximation. As a result of the performed calculations, the L_2,3 XANES spectra for all considered ions were calculated and assigned in terms of the electron configurations involved into the absorption transitions; fairly good agreement with available experimental data for Ti²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ni²⁺ is demonstrated. Experimental XANES spectra for Sc²⁺, V²⁺, Cr²⁺, Cu²⁺ not reported previously were also calculated for the sake of completeness of the present study to enable a systematic analysis of all calculated results for the whole series considered. It was shown that the L₃ and L₂ bands shift to the higher energies on increasing a 3d ion atomic number. In addition, the separation between the L₃ and L₂ bands, the crystal field strength 10Dq and mixture between the 3d ion and sulfur wave functions increase along the considered series, from Sc²⁺ to Cu²⁺. On the other hand, all orbitals of the 3d ions systematically lower down in the same direction. The above formulated trends were confirmed by the experimental data on the crystal field splittings and nephelauxetic effect.     

Investigations of the spin-Hamiltonian parameters,optical absorption bands,and local structure for the tetragonal Cu2+ center in Cu2+-doped ZnCdO nanopowder

The spin-Hamiltonian (or EPR) parameters of tetragonal Cu²⁺ octahedral centers in ZnCdO nanopowders are calculated from the high-order perturbation formulas based on the cluster approach. In these formulas, the contributions to spin-Hamiltonian parameters due to the admixture between the d orbitals of dⁿ ion and the p orbitals of ligand ions via covalence effect are considered. The crystal field parameters are calculated from the superposition model and so the optical absorption bands (related to the crystal field energy levels) and local structure of Cu²⁺ octahedral centers in ZnCdO nanopowder are also studied. The calculated spin-Hamiltonian parameters and optical absorption bands are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values. The tetragonal elongation ΔR (=R_//−R_⊥) of Cu²⁺ octahedron in ZnCdO nanopowder due to Jahn–Teller effect is acquired from the calculations. The results are discussed.     

Tetragonal distortions of the octahedral environments of Cr3+, Fe3+ and Gd3+ ions in A2CdF4 (A = Rb,Cs) and ACdF3 crystals

Abstract

The tetragonal distortions of local octahedral environments of Cr³⁺, Fe³⁺ and Gd³⁺ ions in Rb₂CdF₄, Cs₂CdF₄, RbCdF₃ and CsCdF₃ crystals have been studied by analyzing their EPR spectra. From the studies, it is found that the tetragonal distortions for Cr³⁺ and Fe³⁺ impurity ions, which substitute Cd²⁺ and have nearly the same ionic radius, are close to each other, whereas that for Gd³⁺ impurity ion, having a larger ionic radius, is larger than those for Cr³⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions in the same crystal. It appears that not only the impurity-ligand distance, but also the tetragonal distortions of impurity centres in crystals are closely related to the size of impurity.     

Long-range coulomb interaction of electrons of 4f orbitals in impurity centers Yb3+: KZnF3, CsCaF3, and Sm3+: CaF2

Expressions for calculating the matrix elements of the Coulomb interaction of f electrons of the isolated ion with an infinite crystal lattice have been obtained. The contribution of this interaction to the parameters of the crystal field in impurity centers Yb³⁺: KZnF₃, CsCaF₃, and Sm³⁺: CaF₂ has been calculated.     

Multi-range high-frequency EPR spectroscopy of LiYF<Subscript>4</Subscript> and LiLuF<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals doped by rare-earth ions

EPR spectra of isostructural LiYF₄ and LiLuF₄ crystals doped by Dy³⁺, Er³⁺, and Ho³⁺ ions are measured at 4.2 K in the frequency range 40–800 GHz. The effects caused by isotopic disorder in the lithium sublattice, the random crystal field, and the interaction between paramagnetic impurity ions are detected and studied. The results of the measurements are used to determine the spectral characteristics of the compounds and the crystal field parameters. It is demonstrated that the formation of the isotope structure of the EPR signal is dominated by local deformations of the crystal lattice induced by mass defects.     

Electron spin relaxation studies of impurity iron ions in ferroelectric lithium niobate

The nuclear hyperfine structure of dilute impurity iron ions in ferroelectric lithium niobate is investigated via⁵⁷Fe Mössbauer effect (ME). The ME spectra exhibit typical slow electron spin relaxation effects associated with Fe³⁺ ions in the⁶S_5/2 state, which are analysed using spin-Hamiltonian formalism. For Fe³⁺ ions, the principal axis of EFG tensor is found to be parallel to the crystallographic c-axis. The strong external magnetic field of 47 KOe is used to study magnetic and crystal field effects on the ME hyperfine structure.     

Spectroscopic and crystal field studies of (Ce,Gd)Sc3 (BO3)4:Cr crystals

Complex spectroscopic studies of (Ce,Gd)Sc₃(BO₃)₄:Cr³⁺ (CSB:Cr³⁺) crystals (crystal growth, absorption and luminescence spectroscopy, crystal field calculations, analysis of the radiative and non-radiative decays) are presented. The main results of the paper include calculations of crystal field parameters and energy level scheme for Cr³⁺ at distorted octahedral Sc³⁺ sites, evaluation of the Huang-Rhys factor, effective phonon frequency, zero-phonon line energy, and parameters of radiative and non-radiative decays. Comparison with experimental results and other literature data is discussed. A very unusual value of the frequency factor (related to the non-radiative processes) is explained as being due to heterodesmic nature of chemical bonds in the CSB crystal. Cr³⁺-doped CSB crystals (with Cr³⁺ concentration 5.1×10¹⁹ cm⁻³ or 1%) are suggested as promising candidates for potential applications as active media for solid state lasers.     

An Analysis of the Trigonal Center Structure of Yb3+ Ion in CsCaF3

The crystal field parameters determined from interpretation of optical spectra are used to analyze distortions of a crystal lattice in the vicinity of an impurity ion and vacancy at a Cs⁺ site compensating the excess positive charge in the trigonal centers of Yb³⁺ ions in CsCaF₃ crystal. Interactions of the impurity ion with the nearest neighbors (an octahedron of F^? ions) and the next nearest neighbors (a cube of Cs⁺ ions) are considered within the superposition model. It is established that, at formation of the trigonal center, three F^? ions of the nearest octahedron, placed symmetrically along the threefold axis on the side of the vacancy, move away from the impurity ion a little and significantly deviate from this axis. The second triangle of F^? ions, on the contrary, comes nearer to the impurity ion and nestles on the axis of the center a little. The three Cs⁺ ions, the second neighbors on the side of the vacancy, slightly come nearer to Yb³⁺ ion and considerably nestle on the center axis. The second triangle of Cs⁺ ions, from the opposite side of vacancy, also comes nearer to the paramagnetic ion and also nestles on the center axis a little. The Cs⁺ ion, lying on the center axis, comes considerably nearer to the impurity ion.     

Echo spectroscopy of two-level systems in a Y2SiO5: Pr3+ crystal

The results of an experimental investigation of low-temperature optical spectra and phase relaxation of electronic excitations of Pr³⁺ impurity ions in a Y₂SiO₅ crystal are reported. It is established that at low temperatures spectral lines are broadened by a mechanism that is uncharacteristic for crystals and is due to the interaction of impurity ions with two-level systems. The constants characterizing the interaction of Pr³⁺ impurity ions with phonons and two-level systems are found. Zh. éksp. Teor. Fiz. 115, 704–715 (February 1999)     

Emission color variation of M2SiO4:Eu (M=Ba, Sr, Ca) phosphors for light-emitting diode

The luminescent properties of alkaline earth orthosilicates M₂SiO₄ (M=Ba, Sr, Ca) doped with Eu²⁺ ions are investigated. Two emission bands are assigned to the f-d transitions of Eu²⁺ ions doped into two different cation sites in host lattices confirmed by electron paramagnetic resonance signal. Two emission bands show the different emission color variation with substituting M²⁺ cations with smaller cations. This behavior is discussed in terms of two competing factors of the crystal field strength and covalence. Also the decay times are in order of 600-1000 ns. These phosphors with maximum excitation of around 370 nm can be applied as a color-tunable phosphor for light-emitting diode based on ultraviolet chip/phosphor technology.     

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.     

Microstructural, dielectric and spectroscopic properties of Li2O-Nb2O5-ZrO2-SiO2 glass system crystallized with V2O5

Li₂O-Nb₂O₅-ZrO₂-SiO₂ glasses mixed with different concentrations of V₂O₅ were crystallized. The samples were characterized by XRD, SEM and DTA techniques. The SEM pictures indicated that the samples contain well defined and randomly distributed crystal grains. The X-ray diffraction studies have revealed the presence of several crystalline phases in these samples. Optical absorption, ESR and photoluminescence spectral studies on these samples have indicated that a considerable proportion of vanadium ions do exist in V⁴⁺ state in addition to V⁵⁺ state and the redox ratio seems to be increasing with increase in the concentration of crystallizing agent V₂O₅. The infrared spectral studies have pointed out the existence of conventional SiO₄, ZrO₄, NbO₆, VO structural units in the glass ceramic network. The study of dielectric properties suggested a decrease in the insulating character of the glass ceramics with increase in the crystallizing agent. A.C. conductivity in the high temperature region seems to be connected mainly with the polarons involved in the process of transfer from V⁴⁺↔V⁵⁺ ions.     

Analysis of the structure of tetragonal oxygen centers associated with Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in the KMgF<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystal

The parameters of the crystal field of the tetragonal oxygen center associated with a Yb³⁺ ion in the KMgF₃ crystal found previously in a study of optical and ESR spectra are applied to analyze lattice distortions in the vicinity of the impurity ion and the O^2? ion compensating for the excess positive charge. Within the superposition model, it was ascertained that the Yb³⁺ ion and the neighboring ions of fluorine and oxygen on the axis of the center shift significantly along the direction from the O^2? ion to the Yb³⁺ ion during the formation of the tetragonal oxygen center. As this takes place, the distances of both (fluorine and oxygen) ions from the impurity ion increase. The four F^? ions of the nearest octahedral neighborhood of Yb³⁺ that are arranged symmetrically in the plane perpendicular to the axis of the center slightly recede from the axis.     

Crystal field analysis of energy level structure of the Cr2O3 antiferromagnet

A detailed analysis of the energy level structure of the six-fold coordinated Cr³⁺ ion in the chromium oxide Cr₂O₃ is performed using the exchange charge model of the crystal field theory. Parameters of the crystal field acting on the Cr³⁺ optical electrons are calculated from the crystal structure data for the [CrO₆]⁹⁻ impurity center. The energy levels obtained are compared with the experimental absorption spectra for the considered crystal; a good agreement with experimental data is demonstrated. One possible explanation for the ultraviolet p₁ absorption band is proposed based on the results of crystal field calculations.     

Structural, electronic and optical properties of pure and Ni-doped CdI2 layered crystals as explored by ab initio and crystal field calculations

Influence of impurity Ni²⁺ ions on optical absorption spectra of layered CdI₂ single crystals has been considered for localized level of doping. Optical properties of CdI₂:Ni²⁺ crystals were modeled using two independent approaches: (i) DFT-based ab initio calculations and (ii) semi-empirical crystal field theory. The former method allowed for locating the Ni²⁺ 3d states with respect to the host’s band structure, providing a link between the properties of impurity and host itself. The latter method allowed for calculations of crystal field splitting of the Ni²⁺ LS terms, giving an opportunity to assign the main bands in the absorption spectrum of the doped crystal. To increase accuracy in calculating the point charge contribution to the crystal field parameters (CFP), contributions of all crystal lattice ions located at a distance of up to 72.999 Å from the Ni ion were included into the crystal lattice sums. The crystal field Hamiltonian was diagonalized in the space of 25 wave functions of the spin-triplet terms ³F, ³P and the spin-singlet terms ¹S, ¹D, ¹G of the 3d⁸ electron configuration of Ni²⁺ ion. Additional calculations of the band structure and optical functions were performed to reveal the structure of the energy bands, their role in the formation of optical properties of this system in the overlapping impurity-ligand effects. Electron density distribution in the space between atoms before and after doping was compared; hybridization of the Ni 3d states with iodine 5p states was demonstrated. The role of the crystal anisotropy in the observed effects is discussed.     

Luminescence kinetics of LiNbO3:Yb3+-Er3+, LiNbO3:Er3+, and LiNbO3:Yb3+ crystals under selective excitations in the impurity subsystem

The results of investigations of luminescent radiations’ kinetic characteristics for LiNbO₃:Yb³⁺-Er³⁺, LiNbO₃:Er³⁺, and LiNbO₃:Yb³⁺ crystals under optical excitations at 532 nm and 1064 nm wavelengths are presented. The shapes and times of rise and damping of luminescent signals at 550 nm, 980 nm and 1555 nm wavelengths under selective excitations in the impurity subsystem of the investigated materials are determined. Comparison of the temporal characteristics of luminescent responses of LiNbO₃ crystals doped separately with Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions with those of the LiNbO₃:Yb³⁺-Er³⁺ crystal allows identifying the contributions from different energy transfer processes of optical excitation taking place in the impurity subsystem of the material.     

Structural,optical and dielectric properties of Ni substituted NdFeO3

Present study reports the structural, optical and dielectric properties of Ni substituted NdFe_1−xNi_xO₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5) compounds prepared through the ceramic method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed an orthorhombic crystal structure of all the samples. Both unit cell volume and grain size were found to decrease with an increase in Ni concentration. Morphological study by Scanning electron microscope (SEM) shows less porosity with Ni substitution in present system. From UV–vis spectroscopy, the optical band gap was found to increase with Ni doping. This observed behavior was explained on the basis of reduction in crystallite size, unit cell volume and its impact on the crystal field potential of the system after Ni substitution. The dielectric properties (?′ and tanδ) as a function of frequency or temperature, and the ac electrical conductivity (σ_ac) as a function of frequency have been studied. Hopping of charge carriers between Fe²⁺ → Fe³⁺ ions and Ni²⁺ → Ni³⁺ ions are held responsible for both electrical and dielectric dispersion in the system. Wide optical band gap and a very high dielectric constant of these materials promote them to be a suitable candidate for memory based devices in electronic industry.