EPR spectroscopy of Yb3+ in LiNbO3 and Mg:LiNbO3

Abstract Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) experiments have been carried out on congruent crystals of LiNbO 3 doped with Yb and crystals codoped with Mg. Crystals without Mg codoping show a complex spectrum which is attributed to slightly different centers of Yb 3+ located at the Li + site. In samples codoped with Mg a new ytterbium spectrum is detected in addition to those observed in crystals without codoping. This new Yb 3+ center is compared to additional centers observed for Er 3+ and trivalent transition metal ions (particularly Cr 3+ ) in LiNbO 3 heavily doped with Mg or Zn. On these grounds the new center can be attributed to Yb 3+ located at the Nb 5+ site of LiNbO 3 .