Local structure of gadolinium in oxyfluoride glass matrices containing SrF2 and BaF2 crystallites

Gd3 + doped aluminosilicate oxyfluoride glasses and glass-ceramics containing SrF2 and BaF2 crystallites have been studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy techniques. A pronounced EPR fine structure emerges after the heat treatment of the glass matrix. EPR spectra simulations indicate the formation of cubic, tetragonal and trigonal Gd3 + centres in the studied compositions.