Theoretical investigations of the EPR parameters for Cr3+ and Mn4+ ions in PbTiO3 crystals

The complete high-order perturbation formulas of EPR parameters (g factors g( parallel), g( perpendicular) and zero-field splitting D), containing the crystal-field (CF) mechanism and charge-transfer (CT) mechanism (the latter is omitted in crystal-field theory which is often used to study the EPR parameters), are established from a cluster approach for 3d3 ions in tetragonal octahedral sites. According to the calculations based on these formulas, the EPR parameters g( parallel), g( perpendicular) and zero-field splitting D for Cr3+ and Mn4+ ions in PbTiO3 crystals are explained reasonably. The calculations show that (i) the sign of g-shift Deltag(i)(CT) (=g(i)-g(s), where g(s)=2.0023 is free-electron value and i= parallel and perpendicular) in CT mechanism is opposite to, but that of D(CT) is the same as, the corresponding signs in the CF mechanism and (ii) the relative importance of CT mechanism for the high valence state 3d3 ion (e.g., Mn4+) is large and so the contributions to EPR parameters from CT mechanism should be taken into account. The different sign of splitting D and the different defect structure for Cr3+ and Mn4+ impurity centers in PbTiO3 crystals are also suggested from the calculations. The results are discussed.     

EPR parameters and defect structures for the Co2+ ions in LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 crystals

The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) parameters (g factors g parallel, g perpendicular and hyperfine structure constants A parallel, A perpendicular) for Co2+ ions in LiNbO3 and LiTaO3 crystals are calculated from the second-order perturbation formulas based on the cluster approach for 3d7 ions in trigonal octahedral clusters. The calculated results are in reasonable agreement with the experimental values. From the calculations, the negative sign of A parallel for Co2+ in the two crystals and the more exact and rational values of A parallel for Co2+ in LiTaO3 are suggested. The defect structures (characterized by the Co2+ displacement DeltaZ along C3 axis and the O(2-) displacement DeltaX in an oxygen triangle towards the center of the triangle) for the Co2+ centers in both crystals are estimated. The results are discussed.     

EPR parameters and local geometry for Cr3+ and V2+ ions in HfS2 crystals

From the high-order perturbation formulas of EPR parameters (zero-field splitting D, g factors gparallel, gperpendicular and hyperfine structure constants Aparallel, Aperpendicular) based on the two spin-orbit coupling parameter model for 3d3 ions in trigonal symmetry, the EPR parameters of Cr3+ and V2+ ions in HfS2 crystals are calculated. From the calculations, it is found that the local trigonal distortion angle theta of impurity center in HfS2:Cr3+ is smaller than that in HfS2:V2+. The dominant cause of the small zero-field splitting |D| and g-anisotropy |Deltag|=|gparallel-gperpendicular| in HfS2:Cr3+ (compound to HfS2:V2+) is due to the small local trigonal distortion angle theta rather than to the small impurity-ligand distance R in HfS2:Cr3+.     

Investigations of the optical spectra and EPR parameters in CaWO4:Yb3+

In this paper, we calculate the optical spectra data (crystal-field energy levels), the electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) g factors gparallel, gperpendicular of Yb3+ and hyperfine structure constants Aparallel, Aperpendicular of 171Yb3+ and 173Yb3+ isotopes in CaWO4 crystal in a unified way from the crystal-field theory. All the calculated results are in good agreement with the experimental values. The signs of Aparallel and Aperpendicular for both isotopes 171Yb3+ and 173Yb3+ are suggested.     

Investigations of the optical and EPR spectra for VO2+ in LiKSO4 crystals

The optical spectra and EPR spectra (characterized by the spin-Hamiltonian parameters g(//), g(perpendicular), A(//) and A(perpendicular)) for the molecular ion VO2+ in LiKSO4 crystals are calculated from two microscopic theory methods, one of which is the complete diagonalization (of energy matrix) method (CDM) and the other is the perturbation theory method (PTM). The calculated three optical absorption bands and four spin-Hamiltonian parameters from the two methods are not only close to each other, but also in reasonable agreement with the experimental values. It appears that both theoretical methods are effective in the explanation of optical and EPR spectra for 3d1 ions in crystals. The negative signs of hyperfine structure constants A(//) and A(perpendicular) for VO2+ in LiKSO4 crystals are also suggested from the calculations.     

Investigations of EPR parameters for the trigonal Ti3+-Ti3+ pair in beryl crystal

By using the complete diagonalization of energy matrix of 3d1 ions in trigonal symmetry, the EPR parameters (g factors g( parallel), g( perpendicular) and zero-field splitting D) of the trigonal Ti3+-Ti3+ pair in beryl crystal are calculated. In the calculations, the exchange interaction in the Ti3+-Ti3+ pair is taken as the perturbation and the local trigonal distortion in the defect center is considered. The results (which are in agreement with the experimental values) are discussed.     

Studies of EPR parameters for Mn5+ -doped Li3PO4 and Li3VO4 crystals

The EPR parameters (zero-field splitting D and g factors g parallel, g perpendicular) of Mn5+ -doped Li3PO4 and Li3VO4 crystals are calculated from the complete high-order perturbation formulas based on a molecular orbital scheme for a 3d2 ion in tetragonal MX4 clusters. These formulas include not only the contribution coming from crystal-field excitations, but also that arising from charge-transfer excitations (which is discarded in crystal field theory). The calculated results are in reasonable agreement with the observed values. The contributions to EPR parameters coming from the charge-transfer excitations are comparable with those arising from the crystal-field excitations. It appears that for a high valence state 3dn ion in crystals, the reasonable explanations of EPR parameters should take the contributions due to both crystal-field and charge-transfer excitations into account.     

Emission and electron/ion analysis of the ablated plume from LiYF4 crystals doped with Tm3+ or Nd3+ ions

We performed temporal as well as frequency-resolved emission spectroscopy of the plasma plume generated in vacuum by 355 nm pulsed laser ablation of a LiYF₄:Tm³⁺ crystal (1% Tm³⁺ concentration) and a LiYF₄:Nd³⁺ crystal (1.5% Nd³⁺ concentration). The plume emission spectrum is very rich in features and shows the elemental lines belonging to all the components of the host lattice, either neutral or ionized. The time-resolved analysis of some emission features is discussed and some stream velocities are derived. A possible model for the time evolution of the plume components is reported. The electronic detection technique was used to detect the onset of the plasma plume and to measure the ablation laser fluence threshold.     

The thermodynamic behaviour of Sm3+-doped LiKSO4 crystals

The influence of the point defects introduced by means of Sm³⁺ on the thermal properties of LiKSO₄ crystals was studied in the vicinity of the high-temperature phase at 708 and 940 K. The temperature dependence of the specific heat was found to vary monotonously with the Sm³⁺content, while the first transition temperature was unchanged. The change in the value of the specific heat was attributed to the correlation between the defect-defect interaction and the presence of internal local strain generated inside the crystal. The variation of the excess specific heat with the reduced temperature obeys the 3d Ising model.     

Investigations of the spin-Hamiltonian parameters for Er3+ at the Th4+ site in ThGeO4

The spin-Hamiltonian (SH) parameters g factors g(parallel), g(perpendicular) and the hyperfine structure parameters A(parallel) and A(perpendicular) for Er3+ at the tetragonally distorted dodecahedral Th4+ site in ThGeO4 are theoretically investigated by using the perturbation formulas of the SH parameters for a 4f11 ion in tetragonal symmetry. In these formulas, the contributions to the SH parameters from the second-order perturbation terms and the admixture of various energy levels are taken into account. The related crystal-field parameters are calculated from the geometrical relationship of the impurity center and the superposition model. Based on the studies, the lowest Kramers doublet is found to be Gamma7, rather than Gamma6 suggested in the previous work. The calculated SH parameters for Gamma7 doublet in this work are smaller than those obtained for Gamma6 doublet in the previous work and in good agreement with the observed values. The various contributions to the SH parameters are discussed.     

EPR and optical absorption studies on Cr3+ ions doped in KZnClSO4 x 3H2O single crystals

EPR and optical absorption spectra of Cr3+ ions doped in KZnClSO4 x 3H2O single crystals have been studied at room temperature. The EPR spectrum exhibits a group of three fine structure transitions characteristic of Cr3+ ions. From the observed EPR spectra, the spin-Hamiltonian parameters have been determined. The optical absorption spectrum exhibits two broad bands characteristic of Cr3+ ions in an octahedral symmetry. From the observed band positions, the crystal field parameters have been evaluated.     

EPR parameters and impurity structures for Cr3+ ions in KSc(MoO4)2, RbIn(MoO4)2 and RbSc(MoO4)2 crystals

The calculations of EPR parameters (g factors g||, g(perpendicular) and zero-field splitting D) related to the impurity structures have been made from the high-order perturbation formulas for Cr(3+) ions in trigonal KSc(MoO(4))(2), RbIn(MoO(4))(2) and RbSc(MoO(4))(2) crystals. It is found that the MO(6) octahedra in these crystals change from the trigonal elongation in the pure crystals to the trigonal compression in the impurity centers. The results are discussed.     

EPR studies of VO2+ ions in kainite single crystals

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectra of VO2+ ions doped in Kainite (a mineral salt) single crystals and powder were recorded at room temperature at X-band frequencies.The angular variation studies of the spectra indicate that the VO2+ ion enters Mg2+ ion site substitutionally. The principal values of g and A-tensors were determined from the EPR spectral studies. Using these EPR parameters, the molecular orbital bonding parameters of VO2+ ion in the lattice have been evaluated and discussed.     

EPR study of Gd3+ ions in β-alumina single crystals

Single crystals of β-alumina doped with Gd³⁺ have been obtained by high-frequency induction melting of a NaAlO₂Al₂O₃ mixture and slow cooling, followed by a Gd³⁺Na⁺ exchange in molten GdCl₃. In these crystals, Gd³⁺ occupies only one out of the several possible sites, in the spinel block and not in the conduction plane (which could be anticipated from the ionic radius of the ion). The EPR data can be described by a spin Hamiltonian which includes trigonal terms. The b₂⁰ value is close to 0.08 cm^?1. These results suggest a localization of the ion either in the 4f-layer tetrahedra, or in an interstitial site. The second possibility, which is consistent with charge compensation (due to nonstoichiometry in β-alumina) by interstitial oxygen ions seems more likely.     

Investigations of the EPR zero-field splitting and the defect structure for Mn(2+) and Fe(3+) ions in anatase crystals

The EPR zero-field splittings D of Mn(2+) and Fe(3+) ions in anatase crystals at room and low temperatures are calculated from the high-order perturbation formula of zero-field splitting D for 3d(5) ions in tetragonal symmetry based on the dominant spin-orbit coupling mechanism. The calculated results are consistent with the observed values. From the calculations, Mn(2+) and Fe(3+) ions are suggested to substitute for Ti(4+) ions in anatase (in the previous paper, Mn(2+) ion was suggested at an interstitial site rather than substitutional site) and the defect structures (characterized mainly by the local oxygen parameter u) for both tetragonal Mn(2+) and Fe(3+) impurity centers are estimated. The different zero-field splitting at room and low temperatures are due mainly to the change of local oxygen parameter u with the temperature. These results are discussed.     

Energy transfer between Gd3+ and Sm3+ the effect of Gd3+ on quenching of Sm3+ and intensity parameters of Sm3+ in borate glasses

Intensity parameters of Sm³⁺ in borate glasses were obtained by fitting the oscillator strengths to the Judd-Ofelt formula and a study of energy transfer from gadolinium to samarium was performed. An increase of samarium fluorescence originating from the ${}^4\text{G}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ level was observed in the presence of gadolinium, in the concentration range of 0.1–3 wt% samarium with gadolinium constant at 3 wt%. The intensity of samarium fluorescence on excitation at 273 nm increased by one order of magnitude in the presence of gadolinium. From the excitation spectrum of the double-doped glasses (Gd + Sm), it was deduced that energy absorbed by gadolinium is transferred from ${}^6\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ gadolinium levels to the ${}^4\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and ${}^4\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ samarium levels.The mechanism of this energy transfer was obtained by plotting the energy transfer probabilities as a function of samarium concentration. A linear dependence of $\text{η}{}_0\text{η}$ (η intensity of gadolinium in the presence of samarium) versus square of concentration of Sm + Gd is obtained. From this it is concluded that the transfer is of electric-multipolar type, mainly dipole-dipole. A small increase (about 10%) of fluorescence of samarium in the presence of gadolinium excited at levels where no energy transfer can take place is attributed to the fact that the quenching of samarium occurring by the cross relaxation $\text{(}{}^4\text{G}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{→}{}^6\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{) (}{}^6\text{H}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{→}{}^6\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}$ is suppressed by the presence of gadolinium as seen from concentration dependence of samarium doped glasses compared to double-doped glasses.     

Investigations of the EPR g factors and hyperfine structure constants for two trigonal Co2+ centers in Al2O3 crystals

The EPR g factors gparallel, gperpendicular and the hyperfine structure constants Aparallel, Aperpendicular for two trigonal Co2+ centers (i.e. Co2+(I) center at the substitutional site and Co2+(II) center at the interstitial site) in Al2O3 crystals are calculated from the second-order perturbation formulas based on the cluster approach. In these formulas, the contributions to EPR parameters from both the spin-orbit coupling parameter of central 3dn ion and that of ligand are included. The calculated results are in reasonable agreement with the observed values. Based on the calculations, the defect structures of both Co2+ centers in Al2O3 crystals are obtained and the negative sign of Aparallel for Co2+(I) center is suggested. The results are discussed.     

Studies of electron paramagnetic resonance parameters and defect structures for Ti2+ and V3+ ions in CdS crystals

By applying the high-order perturbation formulas based on the cluster approach for the EPR parameters of 3d2 ions in trigonal symmetry, the zero-field splitting D, g factors gparallel, gperpendicular, and hyperfine structure constants Aparallel, Aperpendicular for Ti2+ and V3+ ions in CdS crystals are studied. From the studies, the defect structures of these paramagnetic impurity centers are obtained and the EPR parameters are also explained reasonably.     

Preferential suppression of high-energy upconverted emissions of Tm3+ by Dy3+ ions in Tm3+/Dy3+/Yb3+-doped LiYF4 colloidal nanocrystals

The intensity of high energy UV and blue upconverted emissions of Tm(3+) ions in Tm(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped LiYF(4) colloidal nanocrystals was selectively reduced compared to the NIR emission at 802 nm. This was achieved by doping a small amount of Dy(3+) ions into the host matrix.