Ordering of fluorite-type phases in erbium-doped oxyfluoride glass ceramics

The local environment of Er3+ ions in fluorite and distorted phases was analysed using site-selective spectroscopy. The Er3+ ions were found to act as nucleation centres in the glass ceramics containing BaF2. The phase transition from metastable fluorite to rhombohedrally and tetragonally distorted fluorite phases was detected using Er3+ ions as a probe.