Structural analysis and crystal-field calculations of Nd^(3+) in Gd_x Lu_(1-x) TaO_4(x = 0.85) polycrytalline

The crystal structural parameters of Nd ^3＋-doped rare earth orthotantalate Gd x Lu 1 x TaO 4（x = 0.85） are determined by applying the Rietveld refinement to its X-ray diffraction,and its emission and excitation spectra at 77 K are analysed.The relativistic model of ab initio self-consistent DV-Xα method,which is applied to the cluster NdO 8 in Gd x Lu 1 x TaO 4,and the effective Hamiltonian model are used to investigate its spin-orbit and crystal-field parameters.The free-ions and crystal-field parameters are fitted to the experimental energy levels at 77 K with a root-mean-square deviation of 14.92 cm 1.According to the crystal-field calculations,96 levels of Nd ^3＋ are assigned.Finally,the fitting results of free-ions and crystal-field parameters are compared with those already reported for Nd ^3＋：YAlO 3.The results indicate that the free-ion parameters are similar to those of the Nd3＋ in Gdx Lu1-x TaO4 and YAlO 3 hosts,and the crystal-field interaction of Nd^3＋ in Gdx Lu1-x TaO4 is stronger than that in YAlO 3.