Electron-Nuclear Interactions as a Test of Crystal-Field Parameters for Low Symmetry Systems: Zeeman-Hyperfine Spectroscopy of Ho$^{3+}$ Doped Y$_2$SiO$_5$

TL;DR

This study uses high-resolution Zeeman spectroscopy to analyze electron-nuclear hyperfine levels in Ho$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$, testing crystal-field parameters and distinguishing low-symmetry sites through spectral modeling.

Contribution

It demonstrates the application of crystal-field parameters from Er$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ to model hyperfine spectra in Ho$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$, including predicting avoided crossings under magnetic fields.

Findings

Successful modeling of hyperfine spectra using crystal-field parameters.

Identification of two distinct substitutional sites via spectral comparison.

Prediction of avoided crossings in hyperfine levels under magnetic fields.

Abstract

High-resolution Zeeman spectroscopy of electronic-nuclear hyperfine levels of ${^5\mathrm{I}_8}\rightarrow{^5\mathrm{I}_7}$ transitions in Ho$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ is reported. Crystal-field parameters determined for the two $C_1$ symmetry sites in Er$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ are successfully used to model the Zeeman-hyperfine data, including the prediction of avoided crossings between hyperfine levels under the influence of an external magnetic field. The two six- and seven-coordinate substitutional sites may be distinguished by comparing the spectra with crystal-field calculations.