Abstract:
The pattern of lattice distortions occurring in the vicinity of Yb$^{3+}$ ions during the transition of the Rb$_2$NaYF$_6$: Yb$^{3+}$ crystal from the cubic to tetragonal phase has been revealed using all the parameters of the empirically found crystal fields for paramagnetic centers of the Yb$^{3+}$ ions with cubic and tetragonal symmetry. It has been shown that the YbF$_6$ octahedra are rotated about the fourfold axis through an angle approximately equal to 1.2$^\circ$. Moreover, the octahedra themselves are deformed so that the F$^-$ ions symmetrically located in the plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation come close to the impurity ion at a distance of 0.0004 nm. The fluoride ions located on the axis of rotation, conversely, move away from the Yb$^{3+}$ ion at a distance of 0.0005 nm. Based on the obtained results, it has been concluded that the total condensate of order parameters of the studied phase transition involves not only the critical rotations of octahedral groups but also the noncritical displacements of atoms in the rotated octahedra.
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