Reproduction of the electronic and magnetic structure of the low symmetry sites of Y$_{2}$SiO$_{5}$ doped with Sm$^{3+}$ via a parameterized crystal-field model

TL;DR

This study develops a detailed crystal-field model for Sm$^{3+}$ ions in Y$_{2}$SiO$_{5}$, accurately reproducing their electronic and magnetic structures based on extensive spectroscopic data.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive parametrized crystal-field analysis for Sm$^{3+}$ in Y$_{2}$SiO$_{5}$, extending understanding of low symmetry lanthanide sites.

Findings

Good approximation of experimental energy levels and magnetic splittings.

Crystal-field parameters consistent with other lanthanide analyses.

Detailed spectroscopic data supporting the model.

Abstract

Parametrized crystal-field analyses are presented for both the six and seven fold coordinated, C$_{1}$ symmetry Sm$^{3+}$ centers in Y$_{2}$SiO$_{5}$, based on extensive spectroscopic data spanning the infrared to optical regions. Laser site-selective excitation and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as Zeeman absorption spectroscopy performed along multiple crystallographic directions has been utilised, in addition to previously determined $g$ tensors for the $^{6}$H$_{5/2}$Z$_{1}$ and $^{4}$G$_{5/2}$A$_{1}$ states. The resultant analyses give good approximation to the experimental energy levels and magnetic splittings, yielding crystal-field parameters consistent with the few other lanthanide ions for which such analyses are available.