Influence of magnetic ordering on electronic structure of Tb3+ ion in TbFe3(BO3)4 crystal

Abstract

Optical absorption spectra of trigonal crystal TbFe3(BO3)4 have been studied in the region of 7F6 → 5D4 transition in Tb3+ ion depending on temperature (2–220 K) and on magnetic field (0–60 kOe). Splitting of the Tb3+ excited states, both under the influence of the external magnetic field and effective exchange field of the Fe-sublattice, have been determined. Lande factors of the excited states have been found. Stepwise splitting of one of the absorption lines has been discovered in the region of the Fe-sublattice magnetic ordering temperature. This is shown to be due to the abrupt change of equilibrium geometry of the local Tb3+ ion environment only in the excited state of the Tb3+ ion. In general, the magnetic ordering is accompanied by temperature variations of the Tb3+ local environment in the excited states. The crystal field splitting components have been identified. In particular, it has been shown that the ground state (in D 3 symmetry approximation) consists of two close singlet states of A 1 and A 2 type, which are split and magnetized by effective exchange field of the Fe-sublattice. Orientations of magnetic moments of the excited electronic states relative to that of the ground state have been experimentally determined in the magnetically ordered state of the crystal. A pronounced shift of one of absorption lines has been observed in the vicinity of the TbFe3(BO3)4 structural phase transition. The temperature interval of coexistence of the phases is about 3 K.