Crystal field study of ytterbium doped Lu2SiO5 and Y2SiO5 under a magnetic field

Yb(3+) crystal field excitations in ytterbium doped Y(2)SiO(5) and Lu(2)SiO(5) single crystals and thin films are studied under an applied magnetic field. The ground and excited state g-factors that are needed for the calculation of reliable crystal field Hamiltonian parameters are determined. Some of the Yb(3+) ions that substitute for the Y(3+) or Lu(3+) ions give rise to Yb(3+)-Yb(3+) magnetically interacting pairs as confirmed by their crystal field absorption bands under a magnetic field. The overall crystal field excitation characteristics confirm the strong similarities between the single crystals studied and thin films.