Transferability of crystal-field parameters for rare-earth ions in Y$_2$SiO$_5$ tested by Zeeman spectroscopy

Abstract: Zeeman spectroscopy is used to demonstrate that phenomenological crystal-field parameters determined for the two $C_1$ point-group sites in Er$^{3+}$:Y$_2$SiO$_5$ may be transferred to other ions. The two crystallographic six- and seven-coordinate substitutional sites may be distinguished by comparing the spectra with crystal-field calculations.