Growth, anisotropy, and spectroscopy of Tm3+ and Yb3+ doped MgWO4 crystals

Identifier:  imarina:9445822

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/imarina9445822

Authors:  Zin Elabedine, Ghassen; Sole, Rosa Maria; Slimi, Sami; Aguilo, Magdalena; Diaz, Francesc; Chen, Weidong; Petrov, Valentin; Mateos, Xavier

Abstract:
We report on an improved crystal growth process, reassessment of the orientation of the optical ellipsoid, and polarized spectroscopy of doped monoclinic magnesium monotungstate (MgWO4) in a new dielectric frame. A set of crystals, including undoped, Yb3+-doped, and Tm3+-doped MgWO4, were grown by the top-seeded solution growth (TSSG) method with K2W2O7 as a solvent. This approach resulted in high-quality crystals with a significantly reduced growth time compared to those grown using Na2WO4. The crystal structures were confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction, and the lattice parameters were determined using Le Bail fitting. We review the growth methodology and emphasize the revision of the principal optical axes orientation in this biaxial crystal which differs substantially from previous reports. Polarized Raman spectroscopy was conducted based on this revised orientation. The absorption and stimulated emission cross-sections of the studied ions were derived for the principal light polarizations, comparing these findings with existing results to validate the new dielectric frame orientation.