Eu<sup>3+</sup> ions as a crystal-field probe for low-symmetry sites in doped phosphors – a case study: Eu<sup>3+</sup> at triclinic sites in Li<sub>6</sub>RE(BO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>3</sub> (RE = Y, Gd), YBO<sub>3</sub> and ZnO and at trigonal sites in YAl<sub>3</sub>(BO<sub>3</sub>)<sub>4</sub>
Riti Ghosh, Shankhanil Sarkar, Yatramohan Jana, Danuta Piwowarska, Paweł Gnutek, Czesław Rudowicz
Abstract
are identical. This disparity poses a dilemma, since the modified crystallographic axis system was used in both approaches. The standardization of the triclinic CFPs using the 3DD package was performed to solve this dilemma. It has enabled discussing standardization aspects in experimental and computed CFP sets and elucidating intricate low-symmetry aspects inherent in CFP sets. Understanding of low-symmetry aspects in CF studies may bring about a better interpretation of the spectroscopic and magnetic properties of rare-earth ion doped host crystals. Thus, our study could provide more deep insights into the importance of clear definitions of axis systems and adequate treatment of actual site symmetry in the modelling of CFPs for low-symmetry cases which is essential for technological applications and engineering of rare-earth activated phosphor materials.