Paramagnetic susceptibility simulations from crystal field effects on Nd3+ in AgNd(WO4)2

Polycrystalline AgNd(WO4)(2) has been prepared by a in solid-state reaction. X-ray diffraction measurements indicate that this compound crystallizes with a scheelite-type tetragonal structure. Absorption and emission spectra have been measured, using the technique of the crystal field parameters, to obtain the energy levels scheme for Nd3+ ions in the crystalline matrix. These data indicate the existence of a structural local disorder associated with a random distribution of the ions of Ag+ and Nd3+. The temperature variation of the paramagnetic susceptibility in the range from 2 to 300 K has been studied. The Van Vleck formula has been used to calculate the temperature variation of the paramagnetic susceptibility and it was compared with the experimental results. Particularly at low temperatures, satisfactory agreement has been obtained. (C) 2003 American Institute of Physics.