EPR study of Gd3+ in a ferroelastic BiVO4 single crystal

Electron paramagnetic resonance of the Gd³⁺ ion in a ferroelastic BiVO₄ single crystal with a single domain, grown by the Czochralski method, has been investigated at room temperature using a Q-band spectrometer. The rotation patterns of the resonance fields measured in the crystallographic planes are analyzed using a monoclinic spin Hamiltonian. The principal Z-axis of the second-order zero-field splitting tensorD is found to be along the crystallographicb-axis. Spin Hamiltonian parameters together with the principal axes ofg andD tensors in the monoclinic plane show that the local site symmetry of Gd³⁺ ion in BiVO₄ crystal is monoclinic and that the Gd³⁺ ion substitutes for Bi³⁺ ion.     

稀土Gd3+掺杂对PbWO4发光的增强

本文研究了稀土Gd^3 掺杂于PbWO4的发射光谱,激发光谱及其浓度依赖。Gd^3 在PWO4中的发光完全被猝灭,而PWO4的发射光谱形状不变,掺入约50ppm后PWO4的绿光带有所增强,掺入约100ppm后PWO4的蓝光带有所增强。Gd^3 的激发态进入PWO4的导带并把能量反向传递给PWO4基质是其可能的发光增强机制,低掺杂的PWO4：Gd是一种性能优良的闪烁体材料。     

Spectroscopic properties of Pr 3+ in anisotropic PbWO4 crystal

The polarized absorption spectra, polarized fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay curves of Pr³⁺ ions in anisotropic PbWO₄ single crystal, which was grown by the modified Bridgman method, were measured at room temperature. The standard and modified Judd–Ofelt theories, extended to anisotropic crystal, have been applied to analyze the spectra. The spectroscopic parameters, including the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters _t(t=2,4,6), spontaneous emission probabilities, fluorescence branching ratios, radiative lifetimes, stimulated emission cross sections, and fluorescence quantum efficiencies, were estimated. The good spectroscopic properties show the possible application of the Pr³⁺-doped PbWO₄ crystal as solid-state and self-stimulated Raman laser materials. PACS 78.20.-e; 42.70.Hj     

Nd3+掺杂PbWO4晶体的光谱特征和浓度效应

钨酸铅晶体(PbWO4)是新型的闪烁晶体,针对其广阔的光电子应用,实验测试了Nd3 掺杂PbWO4晶体的吸收光谱,讨论了不同的Nd3 掺杂浓度对于吸收系数和PbWO4光学吸收边的影响。依据Judd-Ofelt理论计算了吸收截面积、强度参数、量子荧光效率、荧光分支比等。讨论了不同浓度Nd3 掺杂的PbWO4晶体的光致发光光谱;室温LD808nm泵浦下,1.06μm荧光发射的荧光强度、荧光寿命和发射截面积,论述了这些性能随Nd3 掺杂浓度的变化关系。     

Thermal behavior of paramagnetic Gd3+ centers in CsSrCl3

The temperature dependence of the order parameters and the axial initial splitting parameter of Gd³⁺ impurity complexes is measured in the first low-symmetry phase of CsSrCl₃, and the relationship between these parameters is found. The parameters of the thermodynamic potential, which takes into account the interaction of the order parameter with strains, are estimated. The nature of the temperature dependence of the axial initial splitting parameter in the cubic phase is explained. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 2065–2069 (November 1999)     

VUV-UV-visible luminescence of Nd3+, Er3+ and Tm3+ in LiLuF4 single crystal host

An overlook of absorption and luminescence characteristics of Nd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ centers in LiLuF₄ single crystal is provided. Single crystal doped with the mentioned RE ions were prepared by micro-pulling-down technique in the form of few cm long rods with the diameter of about 2 mm. Excitation and emission spectra and fast decay kinetics in VUV spectral region were measured at SUPERLUMI station at synchrotron DESY, Hamburg and characterization was further completed in UV-visible region at conventional spectrophotometers. Observed absorption and emission peaks are ascribed to the 5d–4f and 4f–4f optical transitions in the doped rare earth ions. Concentration dependence of the decay kinetics is discussed.     

Optical properties of Pr3+-doped SrWO4 crystal

The polarized absorption and emission spectra of Pr³⁺ ions in SrWO₄ single crystals were investigated at room temperature. The standard and modified Judd–Ofelt theories have been applied to analyze the polarized absorption spectra to determine the spectroscopic parameters, including the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters Ω_t (t=2,4,6), radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetimes and branching ratios. The stimulated emission cross sections and fluorescence lifetimes of the promising laser level were obtained. PACS 78.55.Hx; 42.70.Hj; 78.20.-e     

Intra- and inter-configurational luminescence spectroscopy of Pr3+ -doped YPO4 nanophosphors

Nanopowders of YPO₄ phosphors with different Pr³⁺doping were successfully prepared by a sol gel method under different synthesis conditions. The crystallite size and strain show a strong dependence on the Pr³⁺ doping concentration and on the annealing temperature. By annealing at 300 °C one can obtain the xenotime structure of the pure YPO₄. The crystallite size can be controlled by controlling the annealing temperature and it increases with increasing the annealing temperature. The room temperature inter-configurational 4f² ↔ 4f5d and intra-configurational 4f²↔ 4f² emission-excitation transitions spectra are measured and investigated. Upon 4f² → 4f5d excitation transition, all the samples present broad intense emission bands attributed to 4f5d → 4f² emission transitions and peaks in red region assigned to ¹D₂→³H₄ transition as photon cascade emission phenomena (PCE). The presence of only ¹D₂→³H₄ transition is discussed. In addition, the ¹D₂ energy level lifetimes as well as the refractive indexes were determined and discussed.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Eu3+,Bi3+-doped BaWO4 phosphors

BaWO₄:Eu³⁺,Bi³⁺ phosphors have been prepared by the conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction and chemical precipitation. The materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and photoluminescence (PL) technologies. When the phosphors are prepared by the high-temperature solidstate reaction, Bi³⁺ doping into BaWO₄:Eu³⁺ can increase the emission intensity of 613 nm. However, maximum emission at about 595 nm was observed in Eu³⁺,Bi³⁺-doped BaWO₄ phosphors prepared by the chemical precipitation. The decay constants (monitored at 595 and/or 613 nm) are within 45–100 s. The color purity of the Ba_0:865WO₄: Eu_0:11,Bi_0:025 phosphor (prepared by chemical precipitation) was 100%. The emission mechanism of Eu³⁺,Bi³⁺ in the BaWO₄ phosphors is briefly discussed.     

Two-photon-excited luminescence in a Tb3+ -doped lithium niobate crystal pumped by a near-infrared femtosecond laser

Blue (487.6 nm), green (544.1 nm), yellow (582.1 nm), and red (623.6 nm) upconversion (UC) luminescences are achieved in a Tb(3+)-doped lithium niobate crystal when an 800 nm femtosecond laser is loosely focused onto the sample at room temperature. The relationship between UC luminescence intensity and the pump energy indicates that a two-photon excitation process is dominant in this UC luminescence phenomenon. The Tb(3+) sensitive temperature dependence of the luminescence intensity is demonstrated via an obvious reduction of luminescence intensity with durative laser irradiation.     

Vibronic transitions in the absorption spectrum of a U3+-doped elpasolite single crystal

Conclusions We have presented the absorption bands associated with f−f and f−d transitions. The investigated ion was placed in the center of symmetry. For that reason pure electric dipole f−f transitions are forbidden, but thet are allowed for f−d transitions. Nevertheless, pronounced vibronic transitions were obseved not only in the f−f lines but also for f−d bands. An assignment of the observed lines supported by previously reported Raman and IR spectra is proposed. Published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 62, No. 4, pp. 58–62, July–August, 1995.     

EPR of Gd3+ in single crystal colquiriite and analysis of the spin Hamiltonian tensorsB 4 andB 6

In single crystal colquiriite LiCaAlF₆ doped with Gd³⁺ ions two EPR spectra of the Gd³⁺ ions with the Laue site-symmetry groups C_i and C_3i were observed. The spectrum angular dependence for trigonal Gd³⁺ centre was investigated in detail and corresponding spin Hamiltonian parameters were fitted. From analysis of the spin Hamiltonian tensorsB ₄ andB ₆ it was established that Gd³⁺ with the Laue group C_3i substitutes at Ca²⁺ site with the excess charge compensation by an ion located along the threefold axis from this site. The transformation formulas for a sixth-rank irreducible Hermitian tensor under coordinate rotation are tabulated in an explicit form. By using the EPR data for Gd³⁺ substituted in a variety of host crystals, the fourth-rank and sixth-rank tensors of Gd³⁺ spin Hamiltonians were tabulated and correlated with structures of the coordination polyhedra at substitution sites. The results suppose a predominance of quadratic crystal field contributions into the spin Hamiltonian tensorB ₄ of Gd³⁺.     

Absorption and photoluminescence of Eu2+-doped 1-D CsCdBr3 single crystal

Eu²⁺-doped CsCdBr₃ single crystals are studied by polarized variable-temperature optical absorption and luminescence spectroscopy for different excitation wavelengths. Whereas the low-energy absorption band is assigned to f→d transitions within Eu²⁺ electronic configuration, the high-energy absorption bands are assigned to Eu-trapped exciton due to the proximity of the high-energy d levels to the conduction band.     

Growth and luminescence properties of Pr3+-doped single crystalline films of garnets and perovskites

Peculiarities of growth of single crystalline films (SCF) of Pr³⁺ doped Y₃Al₅O₁₂ and Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ garnets and YAlO₃ and LuAlO₃ perovskites by the liquid phase epitaxy method from melt-solutions based on PbO–B₂O₃ flux as well as luminescent and scintillation properties of these SCFs were studied in this work. Dependence the intensity of the Pr³⁺ d-f and f-f-luminescence on the activator concentration and influence of Pb²⁺ flux dopant on the light yield of SCFs of the mentioned garnets and perovskites were analyzed.     

5d–4f luminescence of Ce3+, Gd3+ and Lu3+ in LiCaAlF6

The emission and excitation spectra as well as decay kinetics of luminescence due to 5d–4f transitions in Ce³⁺, Gd³⁺ and Lu³⁺ ions doped into LiCaAlF₆ crystals have been analyzed with high spectral and time resolution using synchrotron radiation for excitation. The rich fine structure originating from electronic origins of transitions and their phonon replica has been well resolved and identified. Experimental data are compared with the spectra simulated in the framework of the semiphenomenological models of the crystal field and the crystal lattice dynamics.     

Vibrational spectroscopy of oh-defects in sol-gel Ce 3+ and Gd 3+ -doped silicate glasses

Vibrational modes of OH, as stretching, bending, combination, and overtones, were monitored by means of FTIR spectroscopy in Ce 3+ - and Gd 3+ -doped silicate glasses, prepared by means of the sol-gel technique, submitted to different thermal treatments, and aimed to applications as scintillators. The dopant concentration was varied in a wide range (10 m 3 -8% m.f.) and co-doped samples were also investigated. In this framework, the effects of OH and of rare-earth (RE) clustering, i.e. two possible non-radiative decay channels, on the IR spectra in the 500-14 v 000 v cm m 1 were examined. OH was detected as belonging either to water and to silanol in samples densified at 450 and 750 v C, while in those treated at 1050 v C only Si-OH groups were present in a concentration of the order of 1% m.f., nearly regardless of the RE amount. An absorption peaking at 4250 v cm m 1 was identified as related to an OH combination mode (bending+stretching) perturbed by a Gd cluster on the basis of its amplitude dependence on the Gd concentration and rapid thermal treatment.     

EPR of Gd3+ - doped CeF3 single crystal: Linewidth variation with temperature

Detailed X-band EPR study of a Gd³⁺-doped CeF₃ single crystal has been made from 4.2 to 473 K, with particular attention to EPR linewidths. In general, it is found that there are four regions over which the log-log plot of the linewidth versus temperature is linear, implying separate power-law dependences of the linewidth. Gd³⁺ spin Hamiltonian parameters in CeF₃ have been estimated at various temperatures from the line positions. From the linewidth variation with temperature the Debye temperature has determined to be about 140 K.