Growth and EPR and optical properties of Li 2B 4O 7 single crystals doped with Co 2+ ions

Abstract

Li 2B 4O 7 single crystals doped with Co ions were grown by the Czochralski method. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical absorption spectra of Li 2B 4O 7 (LBO) single crystals doped with Co 2+ ions were measured. The EPR spectra could be described by the spin-Hamiltonian with an effective spin of S = 1 2 in octahedral symmetry. The values of g and A tensors and direction cosines characterizing Co 2+ centers in the LBO crystal were determined for the first time also. The EPR data reveals at least two types of Co 2+ centers. Optical absorption was measured in the range of 200 to 3200 nm for “as-grown” and γ-irradiated samples of Co:Li 2B 4O 7 crystals confirming octahedral coordination of Co 2+ ions and cation vacancies arising in the “as-grown” crystal.