Spectroscopic analysis of Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript> crystal-field transitions in YAl<Subscript>3</Subscript>(BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>4</Subscript>

Yttrium aluminium borate single crystals, doped with 1 and 4 mol% of Pr³⁺, were analyzed in the wave number range 500–25000 cm⁻¹ and temperature range 9–300 K by means of high-resolution Fourier transform spectroscopy. In spite of the complex spectra, exhibiting broad and split lines, the energy level scheme was obtained for several excited manifolds. The careful analysis of the spectra as a function of the temperature allowed us to identify most of the sublevels of the ground manifold. The thermally induced line shift, well described by a single-phonon coupling model, could be exploited to provide information about the energy of the phonons involved. The orientation of the dielectric ellipsoid and of the dipole moments associated to a few transitions was also determined from linear dichroism measurements. The experimental data were fitted in the framework of the crystal-field theory, but the agreement was not satisfactory, as already reported for Pr³⁺ ion in other matrices. Additional discrepancies came from the dichroic spectra analysis and the line splitting, possibly associated to hyperfine interaction. Some causes which might be responsible for the difficulties encountered in the Pr³⁺ ion theoretical modelling are discussed.     

Gain characteristics of 980 nm-pumped Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-co-doped fiber

We present a numerical model of Er³⁺–Tm³⁺–Pr³⁺-co-doped fiber amplifier pumped with 980 nm laser for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The rate and power propagation equations are solved numerically to analyze the effects of the pump power and active ion concentrations on the gains at 1310, 1470, 1530, 1600, 1650 nm windows. The results show that with pump power of 200 mW and when Pr³⁺, Tm³⁺, Er³⁺ concentrations are around 2.0×10²⁴, 3.0×10²⁴, 1.5×10²⁴ (ions/m³), respectively, the signals at 1470, 1530, 1600 nm may be nearly equally amplified with gain of 11–12.0 dB in the active fiber with length of 11.0 m, and the signals at 1310, 1470 and 1600 nm windows may be nearly equally amplified with gain of 12.0 dB in the active gain medium with length of 15.0 m. With pump power of 300 mW, the signals at 1470, 1530, 1600 nm may be nearly equally amplified with a gain of 16.0 dB in the active medium with a length of 15.0 m.     

Spectroscopic characteristics of anionic centers in α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals bombarded by Cu<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Ti<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions

We have studied the effect of bombardment by Cu⁺ and Ti⁺ ions with energy 30 keV on the optical absorption and luminescence of F centers in oxygen-deficient aluminum oxide. We have shown that in the induced optical absorption spectra there are six components of gaussian shape, which can be assigned to absorption bands of F⁺, F², and F₂⁺ centers. We have established that bombardment of the samples by ion beams has a weak effect on the thermoluminescence parameters in the 3.0 eV and 2.4 eV bands, while in the 3.8 eV luminescence band for F⁺ centers, the thermoluminescent response increases considerably. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 75, No. 3, pp. 422–424, May–June, 2008.     

Luminescence properties of Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Y<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles in organic media

Nd³⁺-doped yttrium oxide nanoparticles (Y₂O₃:Nd) with cubic phase were obtained successfully by a glycine-nitrate solution combustion method. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR) showed that the –OH groups residing on the nanoparticles surfaces were reduced effectively by modifying with capping agent. The modified Y₂O₃:Nd nanoparticles displayed good monodispersity and excellent luminescence in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) solvent. Some optical parameters were calculated by Judd–Ofelt analysis based on absorption and fluorescence spectra. A relative large stimulated emission cross section, 1.7×10⁻²⁰ cm², of the ⁴F_3/2→⁴I_11/2 transition was calculated. Theses results show that the modified Y₂O₃:Nd nanoparticles display good luminescence behavior in organic media.     

Overtone transitions of diatomic dimers XH<Superscript>−</Superscript>-XH<Superscript>−</Superscript> in ionic crystals

The resonance interaction of molecular defects XH^– in ionic crystals is considered. In the dipole approximation, the frequencies and intensities of vibrational transitions of diatomic dimers ^mXH^?-ⁿXH^? are found for the exact (m=n) and quasi-exact (m≠n) resonances. The interaction-atrix elements are obtained with regard to the mechanical anharmonicity in the second order of the theory of perturbation for the case of a linear dependence of the dipole moment of a diatomic molecule on the vibrational coordinate. The expressions obtained are applied to the calculation of overtones in the absorption spectrum of dimers ^mSH^?-ⁿSH^? in a KCl crystal.     

F<Stack> <Subscript>3</Subscript> <Superscript>−</Superscript> </Stack> molecular ions in fluoride crystals

The UV absorption spectra of F₃^? molecular ions in LaF₃, SrF₂, CaF₂, and BaF₂ crystals doped with rare-earth elements are studied. Comparison of radiation-colored and additively colored crystals reveals the absorption bands of F₃^? hole centers in the region near 6 eV. Nonempirical calculations of optical transitions agree well with experimental results.     

Hyperfine Interactions in Pb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>F<Stack><Subscript>8</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack>F<Stack><Subscript>a</Subscript><Superscript>−</Superscript></Stack> clusters in fluorite crystals

The parameters of hyperfine interactions in Pb³⁺F ₈ ^? F _a ^? tetragonal clusters of MeF₂ crystals (Me=Ca, Sr, Ba) are interpreted. The contributions of the spin polarization to the parameters of the proper hyperfine interaction and additional (ligand) hyperfine interactions are calculated in the approximation of weak binding between a charge-compensating ion F _a ^? and a cubic fragment in the tetragonal cluster. It is demonstrated that correct inclusion of the contributions from the spin polarization to the ligand isotropic hyperfine interaction for the F _a ^? ion leads to anomalously large parameters of this interaction for MeF₂ crystals. These results are in agreement with experimental data.     

Ionoluminescence of Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript>–Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> clusters in NaF: Eu single crystals

The radiation-impurity modification of NaF: Eu crystals results in the formation of optically active planar heterostructures with a complex set of luminescence centers, including, in particular, clusters of the Eu²⁺–Eu³⁺ type. The luminescence spectra of Eu²⁺–Eu³⁺ centers exhibit bands at wavelengths of 409 and 442 nm, which are associated with Eu²⁺ ions in nonequivalent crystallographic positions, and a band at a wavelength of 610 nm, which is attributed to Eu³⁺ ions. The luminescence spectra of irradiated NaF: Eu samples contain a broad band with a maximum at 506 nm due to the presence of F₂ + F ₊ ³ color centers in the crystal.     

The evaluation of the branching ratios of the decays φ(1020)→2π<Superscript>+</Superscript>2π<Superscript>−</Superscript>π<Superscript>0</Superscript>, π<Superscript>+</Superscript>π<Superscript>−</Superscript>3π<Superscript>0</Superscript>

Combining the Okubo-Zweig-Iizuka rule in the decay φ→ρπ→π⁺π^?π⁰ with the ρ→4π decay amplitudes, we calculate the φ→2π⁺2π^?π⁰ and φ→π⁺π^?3π⁰ ones. The partial widths of the above φ decays are evaluated, and the excitation curves in e⁺e^? annihilation are obtained, assuming reasonable particular relations among the parameters characterizing the anomalous terms of the HLS Lagrangian. The evaluated branching ratios B_φ→π⁺_π^?_3π⁰ ≈ 2 × 10^?7 and B_φ→2π⁺_2π^?_π⁰ ≈ 7 × 10^?7 are such that, with the luminosity L=500 pb^?1 attained at DAΦNE φ factory, one may already possess about 1685 events of the decays φ→5π.     

Photorefractive properties of optical waveguides in Fe:LiNbO<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals produced by O<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ion implantation

The photorefractive properties of optical planar waveguides in Fe:LiNbO₃ crystals fabricated by O³⁺ ion implantation are investigated. Two-wave mixing experiments are carried out for both the waveguide and the bulk. The results show that the measured gain coefficients are almost identical for the waveguiding layer and the substrate. In the waveguide, the response time could be reduced by one order of magnitude, with respect to the bulk, at the same power level of the incident light.     

Pr<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Tl<Subscript>3</Subscript>PbBr<Subscript>5</Subscript>: a non-hygroscopic,non-linear and low-energy phonon single crystal for the mid-infrared laser application

This letter presents the optical and spectroscopic properties of a new low-energy phonon, moisture-resistant and non-linear Pr³⁺:Tl₃PbBr₅ single crystal. Though only weakly doped with Pr³⁺ ions, centimetre-size and good-quality single crystals could be grown and analyzed. Absorption and emission spectra as well as fluorescence kinetics were registered in the mid-infrared spectral domain. Strong luminescence at around 4–5.5 μm was observed and assigned to the ³H₅→³H₄ transition of the Pr³⁺ ions. The high value of the resulting emission cross section associated with the long lifetime of the ³H₅ emitting level indicates that this material could be a good candidate for the development of a broadly tunable mid-infrared solid-state laser source.     

Study of ground states of <Superscript>3</Superscript>H, <Superscript>3,4,6</Superscript>He, <Superscript>6</Superscript>Li,and <Superscript>9</Superscript>Be nuclei by Feynman’s continual integrals method

The ground-state energies and the squared moduli of the ground-state wave functions are calculated for the ³H, ^3,4,6He, ⁶Li, and ⁹Be nuclei by Feynman’s continual (path) integrals method. The results are in satisfactory agreement with experimental data.     

Potential energy of <Superscript>∞</Superscript>H<Stack><Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>-</Superscript></Stack>(<Superscript>2</Superscript>∑<Stack><Subscript>u</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript></Stack> in the bound-state region

An accurate calculation of the lowest negative electronic state of H ₂ ^- (fixed nuclei) is reported using the CCSD(T) method and doubly augmented cc-pv5z basis set. Comparison has been made with the reference data by Senekowitsch et al. [Chem. Phys. Lett. 111 (1984) 211]. Owing to larger size of the basisset and inclusion of triple excitations, no vertical shift in this work is necessary to reproduce the asymptotics of H + H ^-. In addition, the effect of basis-set truncation is estimated, based on the complete-basis-set extrapolation method. The contribution of correlated electron-proton motion to the electron-energy curve for H₂ ^– dynamics is pointed out.Dedicated to Prof. Jií Horáek on the occasion of his 60th birthday.     

Emission spectroscopy of the A<Superscript>1</Superscript>Π–X<Superscript>1</Superscript>Σ<Superscript>+</Superscript> system of AlH

The high-resolution emission spectrum of the A¹ Π–X¹Σ⁺ transition of AlH was observed in the 18 000–25 000 cm^-1 spectral region using a conventional spectroscopic technique. The AlH molecules were excited in an Al hollow-cathode lamp filled with a mixture of Ne carried gas and a trace amount of NH₃. The emission from the discharge was observed with a plane grating spectrograph and recorded by a photomultiplier tube. In total 163 transition wave numbers belonging to six bands (0-0,1 and 1-0,1,2,3) were precisely measured and rotationally analysed. In the final fit the present data have been combined with available high-resolution measurements of the vibration-rotation bands by White et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 99, 8371 (1993)]. This procedure enabled extracting molecular constants for the A¹ Π and X¹ Σ⁺ states of AlH. A very slight local perturbation has been discovered in the v=1 vibration level of the A¹ Π state at J=5. This was probably caused by the interaction with the a³Π state.     

Spectroscopic Study of Neodymium-Doped Sodium–Yttrium Double Fluoride Nd<Superscript>3+</Superscript>:Na<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>Y<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>F<Subscript>2.2</Subscript> crystals

Nd³⁺:Na_0.4Y_0.6F_2.2 (Nd³⁺:NYF) crystals are grown by the Stockbarger–Bridgman method for a stoichiometric mixture prepared by the solid-phase method and containing neodymium up to 20 at. %. The absorption spectrum of Nd³⁺:NYF crystals exhibits bands located in the emission region of laser diodes. The peak absorption cross section of the 796.8-nm band is σ _a = 0.96 × 10^–20 cm² and the bandwidth is Δλ = 17.5 nm. The most intense luminescence band is located at 1.05 μ m and the radiative time of the ⁴F_3/2 level is τ₀ = τ_exp ~ 960 μ s. It is shown that the ²P_3/2 and ⁴D_3/2 levels of Nd³⁺:NYF crystals are also radiative with lifetimes τ exp equal to ~110 and 9.5 μ s, respectively. However, these radiative transitions are partially quenched due to nonradiative relaxation. The intensity parameters Ω t are determined by the Judd–Ofelt method to be Ω₂ = 1.18 × 10^–20, Ω₄ = 1.55 × 10^–20, and Ω 6 = 2.85 × 10–20 cm 2. Using these parameters, the probabilities of radiative transitions and branching ratios are calculated, and the probabilities of nonradiative transitions are estimated. A conclusion is made that Nd³⁺:NYF crystals are promising as active media for diode-pumped tunable lasers, in particular, up-conversion-pumped lasers.     

Visualization of 2-μm radiation by BiF<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and BiF<Subscript>3</Subscript>:Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ceramics

A series of ceramic samples of the compositions BiF₃:1%Ho³⁺, BiF₃:4%Ho³⁺, BiF₃:1%Ho³⁺ + 1%Yb³⁺, and BiF₃:1%Ho³⁺ + 3%Yb³⁺ is synthesized and the conversion of Tm:YLF laser radiation (λ = 1908 nm) is studied. The luminescence spectra exhibit bands in the regions of 490, 545, and 650 nm. The kinetic measurements of the afterglow of the green and red bands show that the population of the ⁵S₂ and ⁵F₄ states in the BiF₃:1%Ho³⁺ samples occurs due to successive absorption of excitation photons, while the ⁵F₅ level of Ho³⁺ is populated due to the ion–ion interaction. Codoping with Yb³⁺ leads to a decrease in the visualization threshold power density to 2 W/cm².     

Influence of configuration interaction on splitting of multiplets of TmF<Stack><Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>3−</Superscript></Stack> and TmCl<Stack><Subscript>6</Subscript><Superscript>3−</Superscript></Stack> molecular complexes

The Stark structure of elpasolites activated by Tm³⁺ ions is analyzed with the help of standard and modified crystal field theories. Application of the modified approach reduces considerably the root-mean-square deviation between theoretical and experimental energy values. Crystal field and covalence parameters are determined, the latter being in good agreement with the covalence parameters calculated using microscopic models.     

Decays of baryon resonances into ΛK<Superscript>+</Superscript>, ΣK<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Σ<Superscript>+</Superscript>K<Superscript>0</Superscript>

Cross-sections, beam asymmetries, and recoil polarisations for the reactions γp → K ⁺Λ;γp → K ⁺Σ⁰, and γp → K ⁰Σ⁺ have been measured by the SAPHIR, CLAS, and LEPS Collaborations with high statistics and good angular coverage for centre-of-mass energies between 1.6 and 2.3 GeV. The combined analysis of these data with data from π and η photoproduction reveals evidence for new baryon resonances in this energy region. A new P₁₁ state with mass 1840 MeV and width 140 MeV was observed contributing to most of the fitted reactions. The data demand the presence of two D₁₃ states at 1875 and, optimistically, at 2170 MeV.     

Study of the parameters of the He(3 <Superscript>3</Superscript>S)-He(2 <Superscript>3</Superscript>P) line *

We have observed emission spectrum in dense plasmas of helium excited by a corona discharge at 706.69 nm. In continuation of an analysis of spectra obtained in gaseous helium at 300 K, we report on a study of the line parameters of the observed spectra. We discuss the major importance of temperature and perturber density in the broadening, shift and asymmetry measured from calculated profiles within a unified line shape semi-classical theory. The comparison is done with existing data derived from experimental spectra at 300 K. The theoretical work is extended at lower temperatures down to 40 K.