Photorefractive light scattering in lithium niobate crystals doped with Mg2+, B3+, Y3+, and Ta5+

We have investigated the photorefractive (photoinduced) light scattering in lithium niobate single crystals: LiNbO₃, LiNbO₃:B, LiNbO₃:Y(0.46 mas %), LiNbO₃:Y(0.24):Mg(0.63 mas %), and LiNbO₃:Ta(1.13):Mg(0.0109 mas %) that were grown from congruent melts. We have found that the shape of the speckle structure of this scattering and the kinetics of the development of its indicatrix depend substantially on the type of the impurity dopant in the lithium niobate crystal. We have observed that, upon laser irradiation of crystals doped with Y³⁺, Ta⁵⁺:Mg²⁺, and Y³⁺:Mg²⁺, the shape of their scattering indicatrix changes with time. At the same time, the LiNbO₃:B crystal is characterized by a complete absence of time changes in its speckle structure, which indicates that the photorefractive effect in this crystal is substantially lowered.     

Radiation stabilization of U5+ in CaO matrix and its thermal stability: Electron paramagnetic resonance and thermally stimulated luminescence studies

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) evidence is presented for the radiation stabilization of pentavalent uranium in CaO matrix. From the theoretical predictions ofg value for U⁵⁺ in axial symmetries, it was concluded that U⁵⁺ at Ca²⁺ site is associated with a second neighbour charge compensating Ca²⁺ vacancy. EPR measurements also revealed the presence of Mn²⁺, Mn⁴⁺ and Cu²⁺ impurities in the samples. The thermal stability of U⁵⁺ was investigated using EPR and thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) techniques. The TSL and EPR studies on gamma irradiated uranium doped calcium oxide samples had shown that the intense glow peak at 540 K is associated with the reduction in the intensity of EPR signal of U⁵⁺ ion around this temperature. This peak is associated with the process U⁵⁺+hole→U^6+*→U⁶⁺+hv. The activation energy for this process was determined to be 1.4eV.     

Group theoretical aspects ofU B(6) ⊗U F(20) symmetry limits of IBFM related to theU B(5) andO B(6) limits of IBM

TheU ^B(6)⊗U ^F(20) Bose-Fermi dynamical symmetry of interacting boson-fermion model arises when the odd nucleon occupies single particle orbits withj=1/2, 3/2, 5/2, and 7/2. The subgroup structures ofU ^B(6)⊗U ^F(20) related to theU ^B(5) andO ^B(6) limits of sdIBM (U ^B(6)) are analysed. Broadly speaking,U ^B(6)⊗U ^F(20) admitsU ^BF(5)⊗U _s ^F (4), Spin^BF(5)⊗U _k ^F (5) andU ^BF(5)⊗U _s ^F (2) limits withU ^B(5) core and Spin^BF(6),O ^BF(5)⊗U _s ^F (4), Spin^BF(6)⊗U _k ^F (5) andO ^BF(6)⊗U _s ^F (2) limits withO ^B(6) core respectively. For each of these seven symmetry limits, group chains, quantum numbers labelling the basis states, generators and Casimir operators for the various subgroups and energy formulas are given. Recoupling coefficients (reduced Wigner coefficients) for constructing wavefunctions of low-lying states are tabulated and these will allow (together with sdIBMU ^B(5) andO ^B(6) limit results) one to calculateB(E2)’s,B(M1)’s, one and two nucleon transfer strengths etc. in the seven symmetry limits. Experimental examples for theU ^B(6)⊗U ^F(20) symmetry limits are briefly discussed.     

Thermoluminescence in single crystals of RbBr:OH− and RbBr:Ca2+

Optical absorption, thermoluminescence glow and emission spectra of RbBr:Ca²⁺ and RbBr:OH⁻ have been studied and analysed. It is observed that both Ca²⁺ and OH⁻ ions enhance theF-centre concentration.F _Z1 band in RbBr:Ca²⁺ appears at 1.55 eV. TL glow peak corresponding toF _Z1 centre on analysis gives a trap depth of 0.84 eV. OH⁻ ions in the crystal seem to act as TL ‘killers’. Spectral distribution of emission under the glow peaks shows five bands around 1.5, 1.8, 2.1, 2.5 and 2.9 eV. Probable models of TL mechanism are suggested to explain the observed TL emission bands.     

Excitation energy transfer between Er3+ and Tm3+ in LiNbO3

Conclusions Nonradiative energy transfer between similar and different rare-earth ions in LiNbO₃ has been evidenced for the first time. The contribution of nonradiative energy transfer to the decay of the¹G₄ and³H₄ levels of thulium and the⁴S_3/2 and⁴I_13/2 levels of erbium is significant for activator concentrations of the order of several thousand ppm in LiNbO₃. The excitation of higher-lying levels of both activators is transferred faster in codoped crystal to the lowest luminescent levels, from which the luminescence in the 1–2-μm spectral region occurs. This accelerated relaxation is advantageous for broadband optical pumping since the contribution of radiative transitions competing with the³F₄−³H₆ laser transition of thulium is reduced. On the other hand, it appears that erbium ions will influence adversely the efficiency of a laser-diode-pumped LiNbO₃∶Er, Tm laser operating near 1.8 μm since the part of the³H₄ excitation transferred to erbium ions is emitted from the long-lived⁴I_11/2 level of Er³⁺. Furthermore, the⁴I_13/2 excitation is not transferred fully to thulium ions and is lost in⁴I_13/2−⁴I_15/2 emission. Lithium niobate singly doped with thulium is more promising since the cross-relaxation process that transfers the excitation from the³H₄ level to the³F₄ level appears to be efficient in this host. Published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 62, No. 5, pp. 125–133, September–October, 1995.     

EPR studies of Cu2+ and V4+ ions in phosphate glasses

Two lead-phosphate glass systems doped with both copper and vanadium ions in different ratios were studied by EPR (electron paramagnetic resonance) method. EPR spectra and parameters (g_‖ = 2.44, g_⊥ = 2.08 andA _‖ = 117.6 · 10⁻⁴ cm⁻¹) obtained for x(CuO · V₂O₅)(l−x)[2P₂O₅ · PbO] glasses withx ≤ 10 mol% suggest a tetrahedral (Td) coordination of Cu²⁺ ions and not a tetragonally elongated octahedron as has been assumed in previous works. The ground state of the paramagnetic electron is thed _xy copper orbital with a 4p_z contribution of 6%. For 20 ≤x ≤ 40 mol% a broad line (ΔB = 307 G) characteristic for clustered ions appears atg = 2.18. The V⁴⁺ ions are evidenced only in the spectra of x(CuO · 2V₂O₅)(1 −x)[2P₂O₅ · PbO] glasses and the resonance parameters suggest a pentacoordinated C_4v local symmetry for these ions. The hyperfine structures characteristic for Cu²⁺ and V⁴⁺ ions disappear for 10 ≤x ≤ 40 mol% due to the mixed exchange Cu²⁺−V⁴⁺ pair formation in these glasses.     

The structure of mixed fluorides Ca1?xSrxF2 and Sr1?xBaxF2 and the luminescence of Eu2+ in these crystals

The structure of the mixed fluorites Ca_1−x Sr_xF₂ and Sr_1−x Ba_xF₂, as well as the structure of the Eu²⁺ impurity center in these crystals, is calculated within the framework of the virtual-crystal method realized in the shell model and pair-potential approximation. The phenomenological dependence of the position of the lower level of the 4f ⁶5d configuration of the Eu²⁺ ion on distance to the Eu²⁺-ligand is derived. The dependences of the Stokes shift and the Huang-Rhys factor on x are calculated for the yellow luminescence in Sr_1−x Ba_xF₂:Eu²⁺. The value of x at which the lower level of the 4f ⁶5d configuration of the Eu²⁺ ion in Sr_1−x Ba_xF₂:Eu²⁺ falls within the conduction band is found. __________ Translated from Fizika Tverdogo Tela, Vol. 45, No. 5, 2003, pp. 823–826. Original Russian Text Copyright ? 2003 by Nikiforov, Zakharov, Chernyshev, Ugryumov, Kotomanov.     

The local structure and interactions between V4+ ions in soda-phosphate glasses

EPR investigation on xV₂O₅ · (100 −x)[2P₂O₅ · Na₂O] and xV₂O₅ · (100 −x)[P₂O₅ · mNa₂O] (m = 1.5 and 2) glass systems was performed. The changes observed in the EPR spectra of xV₂O₅× (100 −x)[2P₂O₅ · Na₂O] glasses with increasing content of vanadium oxide are explained supposing that these spectra consist of two superposed EPR signals, one with hyperfine structure typical for isolated ions and another one consisting of a broad line without hyperfine structure characteristic for clustered ions. The clustered V⁴⁺ ions are not evidenced at low V₂O₅ contents (x = 5 mol%). The EPR spectra of xV₂O₅ · (100 −x)[P₂O₅ · mNa₂O] glasses indicate a superposition of two or three hyperfine structures attributed to nonequivalent VO²⁺ centers. Spin Hamiltonian parameters (g, A), dipolar hyperfine coupling parameter (P) and Fermi contact interaction term (K) have been evaluated. The ratio between the number of clustered and isolated ions was also determined.     

Theoretical investigation of the EPR parameters and the crystal lattice defects of the trigonal symmetry in RbCdF3:Cr3+

In this paper, the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters in RbCdF₃:Cr³⁺ have been studied by means of energy matrices and the Newman superposition model, the theoretical results are in excellent agreement with the experimental ones. The existence of Rb⁺ vacancy and the lattice distortion have been verified. The EPR parameters arising from the Rb⁺ vacancy itself and the crystal lattice distortion are analyzed and calculated. We obtain that the six ligand F⁻ ions move to the central Cr³⁺ ion by Δ = 0.0013 nm, and the front three F⁻ ions rotate 2.98° away from the [111] axis while the back three F⁻ ions rotate 1.016° toward it.     

Hypersensitive and forbidden transitions of trivalent europium ion in Tb1.8Eu0.2 (MoO4)3 single crystal

The fluorescent transitions⁵ D _0.1 →⁷ F _J (J=0−4) of the europium ion in the Tb_1.8Eu_0.2 (MoO₄)₃ single crystal were recorded at 300 and 20 K. The forbidden and the hypersensitive transitions were observed in this system. The intensity ratio between⁵ D ₀ →⁷ F ₁ and⁵ D ₀ →⁷ F ₂ which is 1:5 is discussed in the light of covalency between the Eu³⁺ ion and MoO₄ tetrahedra.     

The temperature and light intensity dependence of photorefraction in LiNbO3

In the paper the dependence of the photorefraction (PhR) in LiNbO₃ and LiNbO₃−Fe (0.1 wt%, 0.3wt%) crystals on light intensity (within 10¹⁶–10²³ quanta·cm⁻²·s⁻¹ at wavelengths 496.5 nm and 600 nm) and temperature (in the region 100–500 K) is studied. For all the crystals the limiting values of PhR are similar and atT=293 K Δn _sat ^lim ≈3·10⁻³. In LiNbO₃ the temperature dependence of PhR in the range 100–500 K requires to take into account at least two trapping centres.     

Optical absorption spectrum of Cr3+ in natural ruby

Two sharp line-like bands calledN andR lines on the red side, a close doublet (B lines) on the violet side and two broad bands are observed for natural ruby. At liquid air temperature the splitting ofR line was found and also three sharp-bands calledR, R′ andB lines are identified with spin-forbidden transitions of² E,² T ₁ and² T ₂. The two broad bands calledU band andY band are assigned accordingly to the spin-allowed transitions⁴ T ₂ and⁴ T ₁ respectively. The observed bands of natural ruby have been attributed to Cr³⁺ ion in an octahedral environment with trigonal distortion. The crystal field parameters which gave a good fit to the observed band positions areB=732 cm⁻¹,C=4.25B,Dq=1830 cm⁻¹,V=−1996 cm⁻¹ andλ=34 cm⁻¹.     

Weak neutral currents in the U3(W)-gauge theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions

A discussion is given of the implications of the recently proposed U₃(W)-gauge theory of weak and electromagnetic interactions (Pandit 1976) for some phenomena resulting from its weak neutral currents: (1) neutrino-electron scattering, (2) neutrino-nucleon elastic and inelastic scattering, (3) coherent neutrino-nucleus scattering (4) weak interaction effects ine ⁺ e ⁻→μ⁺μ⁻ and (5) parity-violation in atomic physics. The theory agrees quite well with the available experimental results on neutrino processes. We find the coherent neutrino-nucleus cross-section for Fe⁵⁶ to be about 6 times larger than that in the WS-GIM theory giving some hope of accounting for supernova explosion by the resulting neutrino-radiation pressure.     

EPR and Optical Studies of Mo<Superscript>5+</Superscript> Ions in Lithium Molybdoborate Glasses

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical absorption studies of Li₂O–MoO₃–B₂O₃ with varying concentrations of Li₂O, MoO₃ and B₂O₃ have been carried out at room temperature. Two series of glasses, one with constant MoO₃ (CM) and another with constant borate (CB), have been investigated. Characteristic EPR spectra of Mo⁵⁺ have been observed centered around g ≅ 2.00, which are attributed to Mo⁵⁺ ion in an octahedral coordination sphere with an axial distortion. The spectra also show strong dependence on the concentration of Li₂O and B₂O₃. Spin concentrations (N) and magnetic susceptibilities (χ) have been calculated. In the CM series, the N values decrease with increasing Li₂O content up to 30 mol%, while in the CB series variation of N is found to increase initially up to 20 mol%, and with further increase in the Li₂O content the N values tend to decrease. The variation of magnetic susceptibilities is almost similar to that observed with the variation of N. From the optical absorption spectra, an absorption edge (α) has been evaluated. In the CM series, the values of α show a blueshift. On the other hand, in the CB series a redshift is observed. The observed variations in spectral parameters are explained by considering the molybdoborate network. Addition of Li₂O to the CM and CB series results in modification of [MoO_6/2]⁰ → [MoOO_5/2]⁻ and [BO_3/2]⁰ → [BO_4/2]⁻ → [BOO_2/2]⁻ groups, respectively, leading to creation of nonbridging oxygens. The optical basicity of the glasses has been evaluated in both the CM and the CB glasses. The optical basicity can be used to classify the covalent-to-ionic ratios of the glass, since an increasing optical basicity indicates decreasing covalency. It is observed that the covalency between Mo⁵⁺ ions and oxygen ligands increases in the CB series, whereas in the CM series the covalency between Mo⁵⁺ ions and oxygen ligands decreases. Authors' address: R. P. Sreekanth Chakradhar, Glass Technology Laboratory, Central Glass and Ceramic Research Institute, Kolkata 700032, India     

Recombination luminescence of CaSO4:Tb3+ and CaSO4:Gd3+phosphors

A comparative study of the excitation of luminescence by VUV radiation as well as of thermally and photostimulated luminescence has been carried out for CaSO₄:Tb³⁺ and CaSO₄:Gd³⁺ phosphors, where Na⁺ or F⁻ ions are used for charge compensation. The distinction in hole processes for the phosphors with Na⁺ or F⁻ compensators is determined by the differing thermal stability of the holes localized at/near Tb³⁺Na⁺ and Gd³⁺Na⁺ (up to 100–160 K) or at/near Tb³⁺F⁻ V _Ca and Gd³⁺F⁻ V _Ca centers involving also a cation vacancy (up to 400–550 K). Tunnel luminescence in the pairs of localized electrons and holes nearby Tb³⁺ or Gd³⁺ has been detected. The mechanisms of electron-hole, hole-electron and tunnel recombination luminescence as well as a subsequent released energy transfer to RE³⁺ ions are considered.     

Coexistence curve and rectilinear diameter in the critical liquid system carbon disulphide+nitromethane

The phase boundary of the binary liquid system CS₂+CH₃NO₂ is studied over nearly six decades in reduced temperature 3×10⁻⁶<ε=(T _C−T)/T _C<2×10⁻¹ and over the composition range 8-98 mole % of CS₂. The critical parameters areT _C=335.13₂K andx _C=57.3₄ mole % of CS₂. A single critical exponentβ=0.315±0.004 fits the observations over the entire range with no indication ofβ increasing to the classical value of 1/2 far away fromT _C. The diameter of the coexistence curve shows a rectilinear behaviour only far away fromT _C. NearT _C, the deviation ΔX from the rectilinear law seems to fit a curve of the form ΔX=fε^7/8 exp (−gε ^h), the derivative of which has a singularity like that of specific heat. An ambiguity in the analysis of the data in terms of mole fractions and volume fractions is pointed out. It is also suggested that the curvature of the diameter may be much weaker in a liquid-gas system and hence might have escaped detection.     

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     

Laser induced memory bits in photorefractive LiNbO3 and LiTaO3

We study experimentally the formation of refractive index voxels (volume elements) in photorefractive LiNbO₃ and LiTaO₃ crystals illuminated with high irradiance femtosecond laser pulses. We used 150 fs pulses at 800 nm wavelength (energy 6–50 nJ) tightly focused inside the crystals in a single shot regime. This resulted in a formation of a micrometer size region of elevated refractive index, which may be used as memory bits in information storage/retrieval application. The maximum refractive index change of 5×10⁻⁴ was recorded in undoped LiNbO₃ at an average light intensity of ∼TW/cm² that is close to the breakdown threshold. A simple setup for photorefractive recording and in situ monitoring of the refractive index changes has been proposed. M. Sūdžius leaves from: the Institute of Materials Science and Applied Research of Vilnius University, Lithuania.     

Superhyperfine Structure of EPR Spectra in LiLuF<Subscript>4</Subscript>:U<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and LiYF<Subscript>4</Subscript>:Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Single Crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of doped paramagnetic crystals LiLuF₄:U³⁺ and LiYF₄:Yb³⁺ have been investigated at a frequency of about 9.42 GHz in the temperature range of 10–20 K. The U³⁺ ion spectrum is characterized by g-factors g _∥ = 1.228 and g _⊥ = 2.516, and contains the hyperfine structure due to the ²³⁵U isotope with nuclear spin I = 7/2 and natural abundance of 0.71%. The observed hyperfine interaction constants are A _∥ = 81 G and A _⊥ = 83.8 G. Moreover, the spectrum reveals the well-resolved superhyperfine structure (SHFS) due to two groups of four fluorine ions forming the nearest surrounding of the U³⁺ ion. This SHFS contains up to nine components with the spacing between components being about 12.7 G. The SHFS is observed also in the EPR spectrum of the LiYF₄:Yb³⁺ crystal; up to 17 components with spacing of about 3.7 G may be traced. Some parameters of the effective Hamiltonian of the SHF interaction are estimated, the contribution of covalent bonding of f-electrons with ligands into these parameters is discussed. Authors' address: Igor N. Kurkin, Kazan State University, Kremlevskaya ulitsa 18, Kazan 420008, Russian Federation     

Study of spectroscopic characteristics of holmium-doped double sodium-yttrium fluoride crystals Na<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>F<Subscript>2.2</Subscript>:Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

We have grown crystals Na_0.4Y_0.6F_2.2:Ho³⁺ (NYF:Ho³⁺) by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method. The optical spectra and luminescence kinetics of NYF:Ho³⁺ crystals have been studied. Based on the analysis of low-temperature absorption spectra, we determine the structure of the Stark splitting of holmium levels in NYF:Ho³⁺ crystals. From absorption spectra examined at T = 300 K, we calculate absorption cross-section spectra and oscillator strengths of transitions from the ground state of holmium to excited multiplets. We show that the absorption spectra of NYF:Ho³⁺ crystals consist of broad bands that lie in the UV, visible, and near-IR ranges. The most intense bands are observed in the visible range, they correspond to transitions ⁵ I ₈ → (⁵ F ₁, ⁵ G ₆) and ⁵ I ₈ → (⁵ F ₄, ⁵ S ₂), and their maximal absorption cross sections are σ_abs^max (λ = 450.3 nm) = 1.16 × 10⁻²⁰ cm² and σ_abs^max (λ = 535.1 nm) = 0.9 × 10⁻²⁰ cm². The intensity parameters Ω _t have been calculated by the Judd-Ofelt method taking into account 10, 12, and 20 transitions from the ⁵ I ₈ ground state to excited multiplets. We show that, with an increasing number of transitions taken into account in the calculation, the parameters Ω _t somewhat increase. For 20 transitions, we have obtained the following intensity parameters: Ω₂ = 0.97 × 10⁻²⁰, Ω₄ = 1.74 × 10⁻²⁰, and Ω₆ = 1.15 × 10⁻²⁰ cm². With these parameters, we have calculated the probabilities of radiative transitions, the radiative lifetimes, and the branching ratios. The rates of multiphoton nonradiative transitions have been estimated. The luminescence decay kinetics from excited holmium levels ⁵ F ₃ (⁵ F ₄, ⁵ S ₂) and ⁵ F ₅ have been studied upon selective excitation in the range of 490 nm, and the lifetimes of these levels have been experimentally determined. We find that the calculated and experimental rates of radiative and nonradiative relaxation from excited holmium levels agree well with each other. We show that, upon pumping in the range of 490 nm, the multiplet (⁵ F ₄, ⁵ S ₂) is populated as a result of the radiative and nonradiative excitation relaxation from the ⁵ F ₃ level, while the lower-lying ⁵ F ₅ level is populated due to direct radiative transitions ⁵ F _{3, 2} → ⁵ F ₅, obviating the cascade scheme ⁵ F ₃ → (⁵ F ₄, ⁵ S ₂) ↝ ⁵ F ₅. We conclude that NYF:Ho³⁺ crystals are processable; admit doping by holmium in high concentrations (up to 100%); and, with respect to all their radiative characteristics, can be considered as potential active media for solid-state continuously tunable lasers in the IR and visible ranges.