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.