Zeeman Effect in the Absorption Spectra of Trivalent Ytterbium Ions in Different Site Symmetries in Calcium Fluoride

Abstract

The Zeeman effect has been observed in the optical spectra of ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ ions in different sites in Ca${\mathrm{F}}_2$. All but one of the correlations between ESR and optical spectra, reported by Kirton and McLaughlan, have been checked and confirmed, and the upper-state $g$ values have been determined. Ambiguity in the interpretation of the rhombic spectra has been eliminated, and we have shown with 90% confidence that the upper-state splitting of ${\mathrm{Yb}}^{3+}$ in cubic sites is greater than 18.3 ${\mathrm{cm}}^{-1\mathrm{}}$.