Structural and vibrational study of chromium doped elpasolite crystals Cs2NaAlF6

The influence of site-symmetry and electron phonon coupling in Cs2NaAlF6:Cr 3+ is probed by correlation of optical and structural measurements. Based o n neutron and x-ray analysis the structure is a distorted R(3m) over bar $, exhibiting a unique stacking interaction. Selection rules have been used t o assign the Raman-active zone-center vibrations. Although local and bulk m ode frequencies differ slightly, indicating that the guest Cr3+ ion does no t significantly perturb the host structure, vibrational analysis indicates the Cr3+ ion is coupled to the first coordination sphere of the Al-F lattic e. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.