An investigation of a relaxation mechanism in Nd_+ :CaF_

Abstract

The spin lattice relaxation time T1 of Nd3+:CaF2 was calculated from the spin lattice Hamiltonian determined from strain measurements by T. Black.1 There is a large discrepancy between this calculation and experimental data. It is proposed that this is due to large displacements of the interstitial charge compensating F- ions in the host lattice. Preliminary results indicate that they have sufficient mobility and can move quickly enough to cause a faster relaxation time than has been calculated.