Investigation of the Cr:LiSrAlF6 crystal by high-temperature Raman spectroscopy.

In this paper, Cr-doped LiSrAlF6 crystals are investigated using high-temperature Raman spectroscopy and the single-crystal Raman spectra of Cr:LiSrAlF6 are analysed by factor group theory and comparison with other fluorides. The results indicate that Cr:LiSrAlF6 is stable below its melting point; Raman peaks located at 561, 322 and 250 cm[?]1 are assigned to the A1g modes of AlF6, SrF6 and LiF6 octachdra, respectively; with temperature increasing, Raman peaks associated with AlF6 octahedra shift towards low frequencies, while LiF6 and SrF6 octahedra are temperature-insensitive; around the crystal melting point, three new Raman peaks occur, which are associated with the AlF6 octahedral chain structure. Finally, the microstructural evolution of Cr:LiSrAlF6 from room temperature to its melting point is discussed based on its Raman spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]