Optical phonon modes and crystal structure of NaLaF4 single crystals

Polarized Raman scattering and infrared reflectivity measurements have been used to investigate the crystal structure of Czochralski-grown NaLaF4 single crystals. The phonon symmetries, the simultaneous presence of polar modes in the infrared and Raman spectra, as well as the observation of piezoelectric resonance, helped us to identify the P (6) over bar group as the correct one for this crystal. This material belongs to a family of sodium lanthanide tetrafluorides (NaLnF(4)) crystals, whose photoluminescence efficiency is comparable to LiYF4. Therefore, NaLaF4 crystals may be important in the development of diode pumped up-conversion solid-state lasers. The number and behavior of the observed optical phonon modes were analyzed in terms of group theory predictions for the group symmetry found. A few anomalies in the phonon characteristics are discussed in terms of cationic disorder in the crystal lattice. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.