Structures and Properties of High-Concentration Doped Th:CaF2 Single Crystals for Solid-State Nuclear Clock Materials.
Inorg Chem
; 63(8): 3807-3814, 2024 Feb 26.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38345921
ABSTRACT
Thorium-doped vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) transparent crystals is a promising candidate for establishing a solid-state nuclear clock. Here, we report the research results on high-concentration doping of 232ThCaF2 single crystals. The structures, defects, and VUV transmittance performances of highly doped ThCaF2 crystals are investigated by theoretical and experimental methods. The defect configurations formed by Th and the charge compensation mechanism (Ca vacancy or interstitial F atoms) located at its first nearest neighbor position are mainly considered and studied. The preferred defect configuration is identified according to the doping concentration dependence of structural changes caused by the defects and the formation energies of the defects at different Ca or F chemical potentials. The cultivated ThCaF2 crystals maintain considerable high VUV transmittance levels while accommodating high doping concentrations, showcasing an exceptional comprehensive performance. The transmittances of 1-mm-thick samples with doping concentrations of 1.91 × 1020 and 2.76 × 1020 cm-3 can reach â¼62% and 53% at 150 nm, respectively. The VUV transmittance exhibits a weak negative doping concentration dependence. The system factors that may cause distortion and additional deterioration of the VUV transmittance are discussed. Balancing and controlling the impacts of various factors will be of great significance for fully exploiting the advantages of ThCaF2 and other Th-doped crystals for a solid-state nuclear optical clock.
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1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Inorg Chem
Ano de publicação:
2024
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
China