Elucidation of coordination structure aroundCe3+in dopedSiO2glasses using pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance: Effect of phosphorus, boron, and phosphorus-boron codoping

Abstract

Effects of codoping of phosphorus and/or boron on the coordination sphere of a ${\mathrm{Ce}}^{3+}$ in ${\mathrm{SiO}}_{2}$ glasses were examined by applying pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) electron spin echo envelope modulation (ESEEM) spectroscopy. Simulation of the observed ESEEM pattern revealed a striking difference in the solvation shell structure between the P-doped and the P-free glasses, i.e., the P doping is very effective for the formation of the solvation shell, while no such an effect was observed for the B doping. When P and B are simultaneously doped, the solvation shell structure is close to that in the P-doped samples. Photoluminescence properties of ${\mathrm{Ce}}^{3+}$ in these samples were found to be classified into two categories corresponding to the solvation shell structures.