Magneto-optical properties of neodymium-doped LiYF4

In this paper we demonstrate the validity of a semi-empirical approach to describe the magneto-optical properties of lanthanide complexes. The polarised absorption (IR-VIS-UV), magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) and magnetic susceptibilities of a LiYF4:Nd3+ (1.5%) single crystal were recorded and analysed in a temperature region of 4.2 K up to room temperature. The crystal structure is obtained by means of X-ray analysis. Starting values of the free ion, crystal field and intensity parameter sets were obtained by using an additive crystal-field model based on the coordinates of the eight F- ions in the first coordination sphere (S-4 symmetry). After several iterations the parameter values are optimised and checked by simulations of the optical and magneto-optical spectra and by the simulation of the magnetic susceptibilities.status: publishe