Magneto-optical investigations of rare earth doped sol-gel derived silicate xerogels

► Rare-earth doped xerogels (Eu3+, Sm3+, Ho3+, Pr3+) were prepared by the sol-gel method. ► MCD and luminescence methods were applied to probe the site symmetry in europium doped xerogel and oxyfluoride glasses. ► Rare-earth site symmetry is close to D3h in xerogel and is lower in oxyfluoride glass.