Discovery, crystal growth, and characterization of garnet $E{u}_{2}PbS{b}_{2}Z{n}_3{O}_{12}$

Single crystal specimens of previously unknown garnet $E{u}_{2}PbS{b}_{2}Z{n}_3{O}_{12}$ were grown in a reactive PbO:PbF${}_2$ flux medium. The crystals were characterized by a combination of X-ray crystallography, magnetization measurements, and the optical techniques of Raman, photoluminescence, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. The material exhibits Van Vleck paramagnetism associated with the J = 0 state of $E{u}^{3+}$, which was possible to accurately fit to a theoretical model. Band structure calculations were performed and compared to the experimental band gap of 1.98 eV. The crystals demonstrate photoluminescence associated with the 4f${}^6$ configuration of the $E{u}^{3+}$ ions sitting at the distorted 8-coordinate garnet A site. The title compound represents a unique quinary contribution to a relatively unexplored area of rare earth bearing garnet crystal chemistry. (© 2020 The Authors. Published by Wiley‐VCH Verlag GmbH and Co. KGaA.)