Lattice Location of the Non-Equivalent Nd 3 + Ions in LiNbO 3 :Nd and LiNbO 3 :MgO:Nd

Abstract
Laser spectroscopy and Channelled Rutherford backscattering spectrometry have been applied to investigate the Nd3 + centres in LiNbO3:Nd and LiNbO3:MgO:Nd. The Nd3 + ions are in Li octahedrons, off-centred by three different amounts along the c-axis, giving place to three non-equivalent optical centres (Nd-1, Nd-2 and Nd-3). Codoping with MgO produces an additional optical centre (Nd-Mg), in which Nd3 + ions are not located in octahedral lattice sites.