SITE-SELECTIVE LASER SPECTROSCOPY OF DEUTERATED SRF2-ER3+

Laser selective excitation and optical absorption of deuterated SrF 2:0.05% Er3+ crystals have revealed eight Er3+ ion centers involving D- ion charge compensation, nine new Er 3+-F- centers not associated with D- ions and several approximately cubic symmetry Er3+ centers. In contrast to the trigonal symmetry of the principal F- center, the dominant arrangements in the D- ion charge compensation case are derived from a tetragonal symmetry center. Detailed spectroscopic results for the new centers are presented. Fluorescence polarization ratios are listed for three centers (J, B, and G 1) present in either SrF2:Er3+ or CaF 2:Er3+ and crystal-field analyses of these, based on assumed trigonal symmetry, are also reported. © 1990 American Institute of Physics.