Crystal-field analysis of Er3+ ions in yttrium aluminium borate (YAB) single crystals

Crystal-field energy levels of Er3+ ions doped in YAB single crystals were fitted to the parameters of semi empirical Hamiltonian including J-mixing. A simulation of the energy level scheme is carried out. The effective Hamiltonian includes elementary interactions such as columbic, spin-orbit, two- and three-body interactions. The crystal-field effect is introduced through the six non-zero crystal-field parameters allowed by D-3 symmetry site occupied by the rare earth. Very satisfactory correlations were obtained between calculated and experimental levels, with root mean square deviation (r.m.s.) of 15.5 cm(-1). These results are compared with those reported for Nd3+ and Dy3+ ions in the same host and with Er3+ ions in other hosts. The concordance between the crystal-field strength parameters indicates the consistence of our analyses. The calculated wave functions of the system are used to predict the magnetic g-factors of the I-4(15/2) ground state. (c) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.