Czochralski growth and spectroscopic investigations of Yb3+, La3+: Na2SO4(I) and Nd3+: Na2SO4(I)

Ln(3+)-stabilized Na2SO4 (phase I) single crystals were grown by the Czochr alski method. Differential thermal analysis revealed the influence of the i onic radius of Ln(3+) on the stabilization of Na2SO4(I). Distribution coeff icients (similar to 0.8-1.1) were measured by the inductively coupled plasm a optical emission spectroscopy method and x-ray fluorescence spectroscopy. Spectroscopic investigations yielded absorption cross sections of 0.6 x 10 (-20) cm(2) (pi-polarized, 928.5 nm) and 1.5 x 10(-20) cm(2) (pi-polarized, 797.3 nm) for Yb3+, La3+:Na2SO4 and Nd3+:Na2SO4, respectively. Crystal gro wth of Gd3+-stabilized Na2SO4(I) provides an interesting new material for s timulated Raman scattering experiments.