Raman scattering, absorption and photoluminescence measurements were p
erformed on B-type (single crystals and polycrystalline powders) and C
-type (polycrystalline powders) Sm2O3 as a function of temperature. A
Raman active crystal field excitation has been observed in the C-type
and Sm3+ ion crystal-field levels H-6(5/2), H-6(7/2), H-6(9/2), H-6(11
/2), (4)G(5/2) have been detected in both types. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sci
ence S.A.