The optical properties of lanthanides in theLn2BaZnO5 area of the mixed oxide systemLnBaZnO

Abstract The absorption spectrum of neodymium is investigated at 4.2 K in the tetragonal phase Ln 4−2x Ba 2+2x Zn 2−x O 10−2x (Ln =La, Nd) (0 ɤ x ɤ 0.25) . There is evidence for a single site for which the 4f 3 energy levels are given. The fluorescence spectra of Eu 3+ is analyzed in the orthorhombic phase Y 2 BaZnO 5 . There are two sites for the europium ions. The energy levels of 4f 6 are given and the crystal field parameters are determined for one of the sites. The fourth-order parameters are large. The absorption spectra of the two neodymium sites in the doped orthorhombic phases along the rare-earth series show a pronounced nephelauxetic effect (shift to the red).