Crystal structure and fluorescence lifetime of NdAl3(BO3)4, a promising laser material

The structure of NdAl₃(BO₃)₄, determined by single-crystal x-ray analysis, is rhombohedral with space group R32 and cell parameters $\text{a}\text{= 9.3416 (6)}\text{A}\text{?}$, $\text{c}\text{= 7.3066 (8)}\text{A}\text{?}$, Z = 3. A full-matrix, least-squares refinement gives R = 0.033 and R_w = 0.037. The Nd atoms, Al atoms and B atoms occupy trigonal prisms, octahedra, and triangles of oxygen, respectively. Edge-shared Al octahedra form helices along the c-axis. These helices are connected by isolated B triangles and isolated Nd trigonal prisms. The fluorescence lifetime of the ${}^4\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{→}{}^4\text{I}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>11</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ transition of Nd⁺³ is reported for the system Nd_xGd_1?xAl₃(BO₃)₄. The lifetime of NdAl₃(BO₃)₄ is 19us, and concentration quenching is reduced in the series, as happens in NdNa₅(WO₄)₄ (85μs) and NdP₅O₁₄ (115μs). The shorter lifetime is attributed to noncentrosymmetry; the reduced concentration quenching to isolation of Nd polyhedra.