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Tm3+-doped monoclinic magnesium monotungstate (MgWO4) is a promising material for lasers emitting at above 2 µm. Stark splitting of 3H6 to 1G4 Tm3+ multiplets in MgWO4 is determined using low-temperature spectroscopy, calculated within crystal-field theory modified for the case of an intermediate configuration interaction (ICI) and analyzed in terms of the barycenter plot. Tm3+:MgWO4 features a large Stark splitting of the ground-state (3H6), 633 cm-1, and high transition cross-sections for polarized light due to its low-symmetry structure. A unique feature of Tm3+:MgWO4 to provide a naturally polarized emission at >2 µm, as well as its suitability for broadly tunable and mode-locked lasers in this spectral range are argued. The first tunable and vibronic Tm3+:MgWO4 lasers are demonstrated, yielding a continuous tuning from 1897 to 2062 nm in the former case. A vibronic laser operated at even longer wavelengths up to 2093 nm due to electron-phonon coupling with low-energy phonons of the crystalline host. Moreover, the optical indicatrix axes of high-refractive-index biaxial MgWO4 are assigned

KGd(WO4)2 has been studied by high-pressure Raman spectroscopy at room temperature up to 32.2 GPa. Evidences of two pressure-driven phase transitions have been detected. The low-pressure monoclinic phase undergoes a phase transition at 7.2(±0.9) GPa. The second transition is found at 14.2(±1.6) GPa. Both transitions are reversible. No evidence of pressure-induced amorphization is found up to 32 GPa. The pressure dependence of the Raman active modes of the low- and high-pressure phases is reported. A Raman mode is detected to exhibit a weak softening in the low-pressure phase. Three Raman modes are also observed to have a similar behavior in the second high-pressure phase. The reported results are discussed comparing with the studies available in related tungstates. Emphasis is placed on the physical implications of the results.