Holmium iron borate: High-resolution spectroscopy and crystal-field parameters

Abstract

High-resolution transmission spectra of HoFe3(BO3)4 single crystals were measured in broad spectral (5000-23000 cm-1) and temperature (1.7-300 K) ranges. Crystal-field energies of the Ho3+ ions were determined for a paramagnetic and easy-Axis antiferromagnetic phases of the compound. On the basis of these data and of preliminary crystal-field calculations in the frame of the exchange-charge model, crystal-field parameters were found. A parameter of the isotropic Ho-Fe exchange interaction was estimated.