Electron spin resonance and optical measurements of yttrium ortho-vanadate, doped with Nd3+ ions

The electron spin resonance and optical properties of YVO4 and YVO4:Nd3- crystals before and after ionizing radiation treatment with gamma quanta and electrons are presented. The obtained YVO4 and YVO4:Nd3+ (1 at. % Nd) single crystals show a lower content of point defects (growth defects, e.g. oxygen vacancies) and consequently, lower susceptibility to ionizing radiation in comparison to YAG: Nd3+ crystals. Because of the angular dependence of the Nd3+ resonance line position, we suppose the presence of structural defects like twins and mosaic structure. Moreover, for the first time the ESR spectrun of V4+ in YVO4 is reported. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science S.A. All rights reserved.