Terahertz spectroscopy of multiferroic EuFe3(BO3)4

The terahertz spectra of a rare-earth iron borate with the huntite structure are obtained for the first time. We study the low-temperature (4.0–90 K) α-polarized transmittance spectra of the EuFe₃(BO₃)₄ single crystal in the region 0.9–6.0 THz. Pronounced shifts of phonon frequencies and appearance of new phonon modes at the temperature _TS=58 K$T_S=58\text{K}$ of the R32→P₃₁21$R32\to P{3}_{1}21$ structural phase transition are observed. Additional shifts of phonon frequencies occur at the temperature _TN=34 K$T_N=34\text{K}$ of the magnetic ordering of the Fe subsystem, thus evidencing the spin–phonon coupling in this multiferroic material.     

Magnetic properties of Nd0.9Dy0.1Fe3(BO3)4

The magnetic properties of trigonal Nd_0.9Dy_0.1Fe₃(BO₃)₄ substituted compound with the competitive Nd-Fe and Dy-Fe exchange interactions have been investigated. It has been shown that in Nd_0.9Dy_0.1Fe₃(BO₃)₄ a spontaneous spin-reorientation transition from an ease-axis state to an easy-plane occurs near 8 K. Anomalies of the magnetization curves are observed in a spin-flop transition induced by the magnetic field B‖c. The calculations were performed using a molecular-field approximation and a crystal-field model for the rare-earth subsystem. Extensive experimental data on the magnetic properties of Nd_0.9Dy_0.1Fe₃(BO₃)₄ have been interpreted and good agreement between theory and experiment has been achieved using the obtained theoretical dependences.     

Investigation of the iron borates DyFe3(BO3)4 and HoFe3(BO3)4 by the method of Er spectroscopic probe

Temperature-dependent high-resolution optical spectra of the Er³⁺ probe ion in DyFe₃(BO₃)₄ and HoFe₃(BO₃)₄ are reported. The data provide the temperature of magnetic ordering and direction of the Fe³⁺ magnetic moments. Both compounds order magnetically at TN=39±1 K$T_{\mathrm{N}}=39\pm 1\text{ K}$. The magnetic structure of DyFe₃(BO₃)₄ is of the easy-axis type, while that of HoFe₃(BO₃)₄ is of the easy-plane type. The role of anisotropic interactions between the iron and the rare-earth subsystems is discussed.     

Time-resolved site-selection spectroscopy studies of NdAl3(BO3)4 crystals

A pulsed, tunable dye laser was used to selectively excite Nd³⁺ ions in nonequivalent crystal field sites in NdAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystals and energy transfer between ions in different types of sites was studied by monitoring the time evolution of the fluorescence spectrum. The results show that the energy transfer rate varies as t^{$\text{-1}\text{2}$} and increases with temperature. The predictions of various models of phonon-assisted energy transfer are compared to the results.     

Antiferromagnetic resonance of (C2H5NH3)2CuCl4

Antiferromagnetic resonance of (C₂H₅NH₃)₂CuCl₄ was studied at 1 GHz region. Characteristics of a weak exchange interaction with a strong anisotropy were observed.     

Nature of optical properties of GdFe3(BO3)4 and GdFe2.1Ga0.9(BO3)4 crystals and other 3d5 antiferromagnets

Influence of the partial substitution of paramagnetic Fe³⁺ ions by diamagnetic Ga³⁺ ions in the trigonal crystal GdFe₃ (BO₃)₄ on its optical and magnetic properties is studied and discussed in connection with problems common for all antiferromagnets containing 3d ⁵ ions. Polarized optical absorption spectra and linear birefringence of GdFe₃ (BO₃)₄ and GdFe_2.1Ga_0.9 (BO₃)₄ single crystals have been measured in the temperature range 85–293 K. Specific heat temperature dependence (2–300 K) and structure of GdFe_2.1Ga_0.9 (BO₃)₄ crystal have been also studied. As a result of substitution of 30% Fe to Ga the Neel temperature diminishes from 38 till 16 K, the strong absorption band edge shifts on 860 cm^-1 (0.11 eV) to higher energy and the d-d transitions intensity decreases substantially larger than the Fe concentration does. Strong absorption band edge is shown to be due to Mott-Hubbard transitions. Correlation between position of the strong absorption band edge and the Neel temperature of antiferromagnets has been revealed. Properties of the doubly forbidden d-d transitions in the studied crystals and in other antiferromagnets are explained within the framework of the model of the exchange-vibronic pair absorption, which is theoretically analyzed in detail. The model permitted us to determine the connection between parameters of d-d absorption bands (intensity, width and their temperature dependences), on the one hand, and the exchange, spin-orbit and electron-lattice interactions, on the other hand.     

The Yb to Er energy transfer in YAl3(BO3)4 crystal

The Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ energy transfer in yttrium aluminum borate (YAB) crystal is investigated with the rate equation without considering the back energy transfer. The energy transfer coefficients (W₂₅) in the crystals with different Yb³⁺ concentrations are determined and compared with those in other crystals. The transfer efficiencies and the micro-parameters of energy transfer and migration are also determined. The results show that the energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ in YAB crystal is very efficient and the Yb³⁺–Er³⁺ co-doped YAB crystal may be a good candidate for the 1.55 μm laser media.     

Energy transfer in Li6Gd(BO3)3

The synthesis and structure of the new one-dimensional material Li₆Gd(BO₃)₃ are described. The Gd³⁺ fluorescence is studied from 300 to 1.5 K after selective pulsed excitation into the ${}^6\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ manifold. Above 40 K the fluorescence decays indicate fast diffusion of the energy among intrinsic and perturbed Gd³⁺ ions, and trapping by impurities. Below 40 K the energy transfer takes place dominantly towards perturbed Gd³⁺ ions and is diffusion limited. This behaviour is discussed in relation with the quasi one-dimensional crystal structure.     

Energy levels and crystal-field analysis of Tm in YAl3(BO3)4 crystals

The electronic structure of the Tm³⁺ in YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystals has been investigated by means of low temperature absorption and emission spectroscopy in the 5000-30,000 cm⁻¹ range. The assignment of the lines composing the observed manifolds to transitions between the Stark levels of Tm³⁺ is complicated by the presence of extra features having different origins. The energy levels scheme of the doping ion has been compiled after a careful analysis of the spectra by reproducing the observed transitions by means of theoretical calculations based on a Hamiltonian, including the free ion and the crystal field (CF) terms. The agreement between experimental and calculated energy values was reasonably good, the overall r.m.s. deviation being 16 cm⁻¹. The resulting CF parameters have been tabulated and compared with those reported in literature for other rare earth ions doped in YAB. The analysis of trends observed along the lanthanide series evidences some inconsistencies and the necessity of a systematic investigation of these systems.     

银催化合成Tb(BO2)3纳米棒

采用固相反应银作催化剂成功合成出棒状结构的稀土硼酸盐Tb(BO₂)₃发光材料. 利用X射线衍射和区域电子衍射研究了产物的结构特性,在700 oC煅烧时,Tb(BO₂)₃纳米棒具有良好晶形. 透射电镜分析表明,Tb(BO₂)₃纳米棒直径为100～200 nm,厚度为30～50 nm,长约3 μm. 基于Ag纳米颗粒附在Tb(BO₂)₃纳米棒的顶端和中部的事实,探讨了Tb(BO₂)₃纳米棒的生长机理. 荧光光谱研究表明,在369 nm紫外光激发下,Tb(BO₂)₃能发出Tb³⁺的特征绿色荧光,发射主峰位于546 nm,归属于⁵D₄→⁷F₅跃迁. 同时,也探讨了煅烧温度对产物的结构、形貌以及发光性质的影响.     

Spectroscopic properties of Tm -doped Ba3Gd2(BO3)4 crystal

crystal with the size up to Φ 13 mm×44 mm was grown successfully by the Czochralski technique and its optical properties were presented. The absorption cross-section and emission cross-section were presented. Also, the potential laser gain near 1.9 μm was investigated. In the framework of the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory, the intensity parameters were calculated to be: Ω₂=11.375×10⁻²⁰ cm², Ω₄=5.077×10⁻²⁰ cm² and Ω₆=6.524×10⁻²⁰ cm². The spectroscopic parameters of this crystal such as the oscillator strengths, radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetime as well as the branching ratios were calculated, too. This crystal is promising as a tunable infrared laser crystal.     

Spectroscopy of Ca3(BO3)2: Dy crystal

Dy³⁺: Ca₃(BO₃)₂ crystal was grown successfully by the Czochraski technique. The absorption spectrum was measured and its absorption peaks were assigned. The Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters were found to be Ω₂=5.216×10⁻²⁰, Ω₄=1.858×10⁻²⁰, Ω₆=0.623×10⁻²⁰ cm². The spectroscopic parameters of this crystal such as the oscillator strengths, radiative transition probabilities, radiative lifetime as well as the branching ratios were calculated. Also, room temperature luminescence decay curve in correspondence with the emission line ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 centered at 575 nm was measured.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements for (La,Y)2/3(Ca,Ba)1/3MnO3

We have measured the paramagnetic (PM) resonance behavior as a function of temperature for various manganese perovskites (La,Y)_2/3(Ca,Ba)_1/3MnO₃ with an average A-site size r_A basically covering the whole region of ferromagnetic (FM) metallic ground state. We show that at least three regions with different magnetic behaviors can be distinguished by two phase lines: T_onset−r_A and T_c−r_A. For each given r_A, the complete PM and long-range FM behaviors appear above T_onset and below T_c, respectively; while some anomalous PM behaviors appear for the intermediate temperature range of T_onset<T<T_c . A possible magnetic transition process is discussed in order of decreasing temperature from high-T complete paramagnetism to low-T long-range ferromagnetism.     

Luminescence properties of novel NaBa4(BO3)3:Ce, Eu phosphors

Novel Eu³⁺, Ce³⁺ activated NaBa₄(BO₃)₃ phosphors were synthesized by solid-state reactions. The excitation spectrum of NaBa₄(BO₃)₃:Ce³⁺ consists of an intense band peaking at 350 nm and a weak band in the higher energy side, and the emission spectrum exhibits a blue band with a maximum at about 420 nm. The Eu³⁺ emission in NaBa₄(BO₃)₃ consists of the transitions from ⁵D₀ to ⁷F_J, and the excitation spectrum consists of broad excitation band peaking at 270 nm and some intense narrow lines. The optimum doped concentration, the critical distance of the concentration quenching, and the fluorescence lifetime have also been investigated.     

Phase transition and analysis of AC conductivity data of the (Cs)0.26(Rb)0.74H(SO4)0.89(SeO4)0.11 compound

The X-ray diffraction, vibrational and impedance spectroscopy studies of (Cs)_0.26(Rb)_0.74H(SO₄)_0.89(SeO₄)_0.11 (CsRbHSSe) new solid solution are presented. The title compound undergo a superionic phase transition (SPT) at This transition was confirmed by an abrupt increase of conductivity. The bulk impedance parameters of CsRbHSSe, RbH(SO₄)_0.81(SeO₄)_0.19 (RbHSSe) and CsH(SO₄)_0.76(SeO₄)_0.24 (CsHSSe) were determined from an analysis of AC conductivity data measured in a wide temperature range. The charge carriers concentration in the samples investigated has been evaluated using the Almond-West formalism and shown to be independent of temperature.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Mn IN (NH4)2Co2(SO4)3 and (NH4)2Ni2(SO4)3 single crystals

EPR studies are reported on single crystals of ammonium cobalt sulphate and ammonium nickel sulphate containing Mn²⁺ ions. In each case only one magnetic complex of Mn²⁺ ion is found. The resonance lines in the case of Mn²⁺ doped ammonium nickle sulphate are characterised by a strong angular dependence of line intensities. The resonance lines in both the cases are fitted to a spin-Hamiltonian corresponding to orthorhombic symmetry.     

Growth and characterization of Nd-doped disordered Ca3Gd2(BO3)4 crystal

A high-quality disordered Nd³⁺:Ca₃Gd₂(BO₃)₄ (Nd³⁺:CGB) laser crystal was grown by the Czochralski method. The space group and effective segregation coefficient of Nd³⁺ were determined to be Pnma and 1.06, respectively. The thermal properties, including the average linear thermal expansion coefficient, thermal diffusivity, specific heat, and thermal conductivity were systematically measured for the first time. It was found that the thermal conductivity increases with increasing temperature, indicating glasslike behavior. The polarized spectral properties of the crystal were investigated, including the polarized absorption spectra, polarized fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay. The spectroscopic parameters of Nd³⁺ ions in Nd³⁺:CGB crystal have been obtained based on Judd–Ofelt theory. The anisotropy of the spectral properties for different polarized directions was discussed. Additionally, the continuous-wave (CW) laser performance at 1.06 μm was demonstrated for the first time. The maximum output power of 603 mW was achieved with corresponding optical conversion efficiency of 8.33% and slope efficiency of 9.95%.     

Measurement of electro-optic coefficients of low symmetry crystal GdCa4O(BO3)3

In this paper, we report all of the electro-optic coefficients of the low symmetry crystal GdCa₄O(BO₃)₃ measured by the interferometric method. The new sample orientations, which have not been reported so far, have been used for measuring the skew electro-optic coefficients γ₅₁, γ₅₃, γ₄₂ and γ₆₂ independently. The results obtained are γ₁₁=0.4, γ₂₁=0.5, γ₃₁=0.6, γ₁₃=0.1, γ₂₃=0.4, γ₃₃=2.0, γ₅₁=0.7, γ₅₃=1.5, γ₄₂=0.5, γ₆₂=0.8×10⁻¹²m/V.     

Growth and laser properties of Nd:Ca4YO(BO3)3 crystal

Nd:Ca₄YO(BO₃)₃ (Nd:YCOB) crystal was grown by the Czochralski method, and its structure was measured by using a four circle X-ray diffractometer. The transparent spectrum from 200 to 2600 nm was measured at room temperature. The fluorescence spectrum near 1.06 μm showed that the main emission wavelength of Nd:YCOB crystal was centered at 1060.8 nm. Laser output at 1.06 μm has been demonstrated when it was pumped by a Ti:sapphire laser at the wavelength of 794 nm, the highest output power was 68 mW under pumping power of 311 mW, the pumping threshold was 163 mW and slope efficiency was 46.9%. The self-frequency doubled green light has been observed when it was pumped by a Ti:sapphire or a laser diode (LD). A 14.5 mm Nd:YCOB crystal sample cut at (θ, φ)=(90°, 33°) was used for type I second-frequency generation (SHG) of the 1.06 μm laser pulse. The SHG conversion efficiency was 22%.     

Optical absorption spectrum and local symmetry of Tm ion in TmAl3(BO3)4 crystal

With the help of group theory analysis of absorption spectra of the transition ³H₆ → ³F₃ of Tm³⁺ ion in TmAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal, measured at several temperatures from 1.8 till 293 K, it has been shown, that the local symmetry of the Tm³⁺ environment is C₃ and it decreases to C₁ at a low temperature. Effective selection rules and polarizations of lines at high enough temperatures (when the line-width is larger than the splitting in C₃ symmetry) have been obtained.