Lattice location of the non-equivalent Nd3+ ions in LiNbO3:Nd and LiNbO3:MgO:Nd

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.