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.     

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.     

Local structure of Gd3+ impurity center at cubic sites in fluorites

A computer controlled ENDOR spectrometer and special software are used to determine the coordinates of¹⁹F nuclei in four anionic spheres of cubic MeF₂:Gd³⁺ (Me = Ca, Sr, Ba, Pb) centers. The computer simulation of Gd³⁺ cubic impurity center in crystals MeF₂ (Me = Ca, Sr, Ba) has been also performed. The analysis of lattice relaxation near the impurity center carried out on the base of ENDOR experiments data has allowed us to obtain potential of interaction Gd³⁺-F^?. For the first time not only radial displacements but also angular displacements of F^? ions of the third sphere have been taken into account and it has been shown that it influences the determination of lattice relaxation around the impurity center essentially. The influence of hydrostatic pressure (up to 30 kbar) on the local structure of the impurity center has also been investigated using computer simulation. The comparison of the experimental and calculated displacements of distant ions gives a reliable test of the validity of theoretical lattice relaxation model and accuracy of calculations of impurity-directed shifts of 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.     

EPR and optical studies of Cu doped ammonium dihydrogen phosphate single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of Cu²⁺ ion in ammonium dihydrogen phosphate are studied at liquid nitrogen temperature (77 K). Four magnetically inequivalent Cu²⁺ sites in the lattice are identified. The angular variation spectra of the crystal in the three orthogonal planes indicate that the paramagnetic impurity, Cu²⁺ enters the lattice substitutionally in place of NH₄⁺ ions. The spin Hamiltonian parameters are determined with the fitting of spectra to rhombic symmetry crystalline field. The ground state wave function of Cu²⁺ ion is constructed and found to be predominantly |x²-y²〉. The cubic field parameter (Dq) and tetragonal parameters (Ds and Dt) are determined from optical spectra at room temperature. By correlating EPR and optical absorption spectra, the bonding coefficients are calculated and nature of bonding of metal ion with different ligands in the crystal is discussed.     

Nephelauxetic effect for the isoelectronic 3d-ions (Cr, Mn, Fe) in SrTiO3

The exchange charge model of crystal field theory has been used to analyze systematically the ground state absorption spectra of isoelectronic Cr³⁺, Mn⁴⁺, and Fe⁵⁺ ions in an octahedral coordination in the SrTiO₃ crystal. The parameters of the crystal field acting on the valence electrons of impurity ions are calculated from the available crystal structure data. A special attention is paid to the analysis of dependencies of the crystal field invariants and covalence effects on the impurity ion. It is shown numerically that the covalence effects between the above impurity ions and ligands increase with an increase of the 3d-ion oxidation state.     

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.     

Electronic structure of bivalent copper off-center complexes in SrF<Subscript>2</Subscript> crystals from data of EPR and ENDOR spectroscopy

The electronic structure of bivalent copper off-center complexes in SrF₂ crystals is calculated from experimental data obtained earlier by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and electron-nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy. The electronic structure parameters characterizing the unpaired-electron density in the vicinity of the nucleus of a copper impurity ion are determined, and the parameters of covalent bonds between an impurity copper ion and three groups of the fluorine ions nearest to this impurity are calculated. It is demonstrated that states of the ground electron configuration of the bivalent copper impurity complex involve an admixture of excited electron configurations due to electron transfer from the ligand to 4s and 4p unfilled shells of the copper ion.     

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)     

Electron statistics in CdF2 semiconductor crystals with DX centers

The degree of compensation and ionization energy of two-electron DX centers in CdF₂: In and CdF₂: Ga semiconductors are determined by studying the statistical distribution of electrons localized on impurity levels. The sharp temperature dependence of the concentration of neutral donors observed in CdF₂: Ga over the temperature range T = 250–400 K is explained by a high compensation degree, K ≥ 0.996. Thus, all Ga ions introduced into a CdF₂ crystal lattice during crystal growth form shallow donor levels. However, the concentration of Ga ions that can form bistable DX centers is rather low and is close to the concentration of electrons injected into the crystal during additive coloring. In CdF₂: In crystals, the degree of compensation is smaller than that in CdF₂: Ga but is sufficiently high and the number of bistable DX centers is not limited. It is concluded that an extremely narrow impurity band forms in the CdF₂: Ga semiconductor. For a total charged-impurity concentration of ～10²⁰ cm^?3, the width of the impurity band in CdF₂: Ga is not likely to exceed ～0.02 eV.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Ce3+ ions in lead thiogallate single crystals

The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of Ce³⁺ impurity ions in single crystals of lead thiogallate PbGa₂S₄ have been reported. The Ce³⁺ ions substitute for Pb²⁺ ions in the crystal lattice of PbGa₂S₄. A number of paramagnetic cerium centers in lead thiogallate have been observed. The spectra are described by the spin Hamiltonian of rhombic symmetry with the effective spin S = 1/2. The g factors of the main cerium centers have been determined. A large number of paramagnetic centers are due to both nonequivalent positions of lead and local charge compensation under the substitution Ce³⁺ ?? Pb²⁺.     

Tracer impurity diffusion in single-crystal rutile (TiO2−x)

By means of the radioactive-tracer sectioning technique, the tracer diffusion of the impurity ions, ⁴⁶Sc, ⁵¹Cr, ⁵⁴Mn, ⁵⁹Fe, ⁶⁰Co, ⁶³Ni and ⁹⁵Zr, in rutile single crystals was measured as functions of crystal orientation, temperature, oxygen partial pressure and Al impurity content. The diffusion coefficients are very sensitive to the electric charge of the impurity ions. Divalent impurities (e.g., Co and Ni) diffuse extremely rapidly in TiO₂, compared to cation self-diffusion, and exhibit an extreme anisotropy in diffusion behavior, divalent-impurity diffusion parallel to the c-axis is much larger than it is perpendicular to the c-axis. Trivalent impurity ions (Sc and Cr) and tetravalent impurity ions (Zr) diffuse similar to cation self-diffusion, both as functions of temperature and oxygen partial pressure. The divalent impurity ions Co and Ni apparently diffuse as interstitial ions along open channels parallel to the c-axis. The results suggest that Sc, Cr and Zr ions diffuse by an interstitialcy mechanism involving the simultaneous and cooperative migration of tetravalent interstitial titanium ions and the tracer-impurity ions. Iron ions diffuse both as divalent and as trivalent ions. The impurity diffusion as functions of oxygen partial pressure and Al-impurity content are consistent with calculations of point-defect concentrations in rutile.     

EPR Spectroscopy of Impurity Thulium Ions in Yttrium Orthosilicate Single Crystals

The frequency-field and orientation dependences of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra are measured for impurity Tm³⁺ ions in yttrium orthosilicate (Y₂SiO₅) single crystals by stationary EPR spectroscopy in the frequency range of 50–100 GHz at 4.2 K. The position of the impurity ion in the crystal lattice and its magnetic characteristics are determined. The temperature dependences of the spin–lattice and phase relaxation times are measured by pulse EPR methods in the temperature range of 5–15 K and the high efficiency of the direct single-phonon mechanism of spin–lattice relaxation is established. This greatly shortens the spin–lattice relaxation time at low temperatures and makes impurity Tm³⁺ ions in Y₂SiO₅ a promising basis for the implementation of high-speed quantum memory based on rare-earth ions in dielectric crystals.     

EPR and optical spectroscopy of Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in CaF<Subscript>2</Subscript>: an analysis of the structure of tetragonal centers

CaF₂ crystals doped with Yb³⁺ ions have been studied by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical spectroscopy. EPR spectra of paramagnetic centers (PCs) for cubic (T_c) and tetragonal (T_tet) symmetries were identified. Empirical energy level diagrams were established and crystal field parameters were determined. Information on the CaF₂∶Yb³⁺ phonon spectra was obtained from the electron-vibrational structure of the optical spectra. The crystal field parameters were used to analyze the crystal lattice distortions in the vicinity of the Yb³⁺ ion. Within the framework of a superposition model, it is established that four F⁻ ions located symmetrically with respect to the fourfold axis from the side of the ion-compensator approach the impurity ion and deviate from the PC axis. The second set of four fluorine ions also approaches the Yb³⁺ ion and the PC axis. The ion-compensator F⁻ also approaches considerably the impurity ion.     

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.     

Proton ENDOR of dimethylnitramine free radicals

Electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectra of free radicals produced by ultraviolet (UV) photolysis of polycrystalline and single crystal dimethylnitramine (or N-methyl-N-nitromethanamine) [DMN; (CH₃)₂NNO₂ were studied atca. ?30°C. Results suggest that multiple radical species are formed during UV photolysis of DMN, perdeutero-DMN-d₆, and¹⁵N-labeled DMN. Proton ENDOR spectra are consistent with assignment of a cation radical (CH₃)₂NNO ₂ ⁺ as the major DMN radical species. Proton hyperfine coupling anisotropy, which is observed from the ENDOR spectra, is attributed to inequivalence of the two DMN methyl groups.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance and luminescence of chromium in calcium germanate crystals

The luminescence of Ca₂GeO₄: Cr⁴⁺ single crystals at wavelengths in the range of 1.3 μm upon excitation with a 1-μ m semiconductor laser is investigated in the temperature range up to 573 K. At T<110 K, the Ca₂GeO₄: Cr⁴⁺ crystals are characterized by the electron paramagnetic resonance, which is attributed to the Cr⁴⁺ ions substituted for Ge⁴⁺ ions. The components of the g tensor and its principal axes are determined. It is revealed that the Cr⁴⁺ impurity centers in calcium germanate affect the crystal symmetry to a lesser degree compared to Cr⁴⁺ ions in forsterite. The observed deviation of the temperature dependence of the electron paramagnetic resonance from the Curie law is explained by the transition to the excited state with a low activation energy, as is the case in impurity 3d ions in diamond-like semiconductors. The inference is made that the giant effective degeneracy multiplicity of the excited state is associated with the initiation of soft phonon modes in the crystal upon excitation of the defect.     

Magnetic anisotropy of antiferromagnet (CH3)4NMnCl3

The parameters of the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of S ion pairs in diamagnetic crystals are analyzed. A relation between the spin Hamiltonian constants is established for solitary ions and pairs for (CH₃)₄NCdCl₃: Mn²⁺ crystals. In contrast to solitary ions, an additional contribution (which is a linear function of the exchange field) to the “single-ion” spin Hamiltonian constants appears in the case of pairs. It is shown that anisotropic exchange mechanisms do not play a significant part in the formation of the axial constant of the spin Hamiltonian for this crystal. Some aspects of the method of studying “single-ion” anisotropy predicted by the two-ion model are developed with the help of an isostructural diamagnetic analog with impurity concentration of the paramagnetic ions of a magnetically concentrated substance sufficiently high for observing the EPR spectrum of the pairs. It is found that the microscopic quantities determined partially from the EPR spectra for pairs and solitary Mn²⁺ ions in (CH₃)₄NCdCl₃ are in accord with the experimental value of the effective field for the (CH₃)₄NMnCl₃ crystal anisotropy which can be described primarily by the dipole and “single-ion” mechanisms of the exchange origin.     

Optical absorption in crystals and solutions of potassium halides with lead halide impurity

Using a spectrophotometric method of determining lead concentrations, the relation between the optical absorption of alkali-halide crystals with PbCl₂ impurity and that of the corresponding aqueous solutions was investigated. It was shown that the differences in the position of absorption maxima of (MHal_n)^m- complexes are determined by the effect of water molecules, and not by the structure of the complexes. It is established that the long-wave absorption band in the crystal (273 nm in KCl + PbCl₂) is due to the interaction of lead ions with anions, independently of the nature of the distribution of the impurity in the crystal.Translated from Izvestiya VUZ. Fizika, No. 12, pp. 71–76, December, 1971.     

Thermo- and photostimulated processes of polarization and depolarization in CdI<Subscript>2</Subscript>: Ag

Currents of thermogradient polarization and depolarization of an electret state that arises in a photochromic crystal CdI₂: Ag during one-side cooling of the sample in the dark from 325 to 90 K in the presence of a temperature gradient directed along the crystallographic axis C ₆ have been found. At 90 K, the crystal polarized in the thermogradient electromotive force field is characterized by the photosensitivity in the near-edge, impurity, and infrared spectral regions. It is revealed that the electret state in the CdI₂: Ag crystal is also formed at room temperature during photolysis under irradiation of the samples by integrated light from a xenon lamp. Models of photosensitive centers formed upon doping of the CdI₂ crystal from the melt by the Ag⁺ impurity and during the occurrence of thermo- and photostimulated chemical reactions are proposed. The mechanism of the photochromic effect, including the change in the charge state of silver impurity ions, is considered.