High-temperature VUV spectroscopy of KYF4 crystals doped with Nd3+, Er3+ and Tm3+ ions

Thermal quenching of 5d-4f luminescence from Nd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ ions doped into KYF₄ crystals has been investigated in the temperature range up to ∼750 K where this luminescence is completely quenched. The obtained temperatures of thermal quenching (T_q) are ∼270, 495, 450 K for Nd³⁺, Er³⁺, Tm³⁺, respectively. At high temperatures, thermal quenching of 5d-4f luminescence from Nd³⁺ and Er³⁺ is accompanied by the appearance of 4f-4f luminescence from the lower-energy 4f levels. It has been shown that the dominating mechanism of thermal quenching for Nd³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions is thermally stimulated non-radiative transitions (intersystem crossing) from the 5d states to lower-energy 4f levels, namely ²G(2)_9/2 and ²F(2)_7/2, respectively, whereas for the Tm³⁺ ion, thermally stimulated ionization of 5d electrons to the conduction band states is responsible for thermal quenching of 5d-4f luminescence. The energy gap between the lowest Tm³⁺ 5d level and the bottom of the KYF₄ conduction band has been estimated to be 0.66 eV.     

Interplay of spin-allowed and spin-forbidden 5d–4f luminescence from rare earth ions

The conditions for co-existence of emissions from spin-allowed and spin-forbidden 5d–4f transitions in rare earth ions and for thermal quenching of these emissions have been analyzed by taking Tm³⁺ 5d–4f luminescence in LiYF₄:Tm³⁺ and Lu³⁺ 5d–4f luminescence in LuF₃ as examples. It is shown that temperature behavior of 5d–4f luminescence agrees with the common trends in decreasing energy splitting between the lowest high-spin and low-spin 5d levels as well as decreasing energy gap between the lowest 5d level and the bottom of the conduction band of the host crystal towards heavier rare earth ions (from Er³⁺ to Lu³⁺).     

Analysis of the optical spectrum of Ho3+ in LiYF4

The energy levels for Ho³⁺ in single crystal LiYF₄ from 0–21,300 cm^?1 have been determined from polarized absorption and fluorescence spectra using crystals at temperatures between 4 and 300°K. Energy level assignments were made initially by comparing the crystal spectra with energy levels calculated by using crystal field parameters interpolated from previously reported analyses of Nd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ in LiYF₄. The energy level scheme identifies energy levels in the 10 lowest J-multiplets and gives calculated energies for the next six higher J-multiplets. The crystal field parameters were varied to obtain a best fit between experimental and theoretical energies, and the final values B₂₀ = 410, B₄₀ = ? 615, B₄₄ = 819, B₆₀ = ? 27.9 and B₆₄ = 677 ± i32.8 cm^?1 give an r.m.s. fit of 2.78 cm^?1. The calculations were made by diagonalizing the crystal field Hamiltonian, H_x = Σ_kmB_kmC_km, in the space of ten lowest J-multiplets spanned by intermediate coupled free-ion wavefunctions calculated using the free-ion parameters of Carnall et al. for Ho in aqueous solution. The calculated g_∥ for the Γ_3.4 ground state of 13.63 compares favorably with a previously reported value of 13.3 ± 0.1.     

Luminescence of La3F3[Si3O9]:Ce

The luminescence properties of Ce³⁺ in La₃F₃[Si₃O₉] are reported. Excitation and emission bands corresponding to 4f¹→5d¹ transitions of Ce³⁺ were identified. The center of gravity of the 5d states lies at remarkable high energy (43.2×10³ cm⁻¹) for Ce³⁺ in a silicate compound. This high value is attributed to the combined oxygen/fluoride coordination of the Ce³⁺ ion. Emission from the lowest 4f5d level to the ²F_5/2 and ²F_7/2 levels was found at 32.4×10³ and 30.4×10³ cm⁻¹. These results are compared with literature data on silicates and fluorides. From the values found for Ce³⁺, predictions are made for the positions of the 4f5d bands of Pr³⁺ and Er³⁺ in La₃F₃[Si₃O₉]. For both ions, it is concluded that in this host lattice emission is expected from high lying 4fⁿ energy levels.     

Upconverted 5d-4f luminescence from Er and Nd ions doped into fluoride hosts excited by ArF and KrF excimer lasers

We report on observation of upconverted VUV luminescence due to 5d-4f radiative transitions in Er³⁺ and Nd³⁺ ions doped into some fluoride crystals, under excitation by ArF and KrF excimer lasers, respectively. Only spin-forbidden 5d-4f luminescence of Er³⁺ (at 165 nm) was detected from the LiYF₄:Er³⁺ crystal whereas both spin-forbidden (at 169 nm) and spin-allowed (at 160.5 nm) components are observed from the BaY₂F₈:Er³⁺ crystal, the latter being much weaker than in the case of one-photon excitation. Nd³⁺ 5d-4f luminescence at 180 and 173 nm has been detected from the LiYF₄:Nd³⁺ and LaF₃:Nd³⁺ crystals, respectively. The shift of short-wavelength edge of 5d-4f emission spectra towards longer wavelengths is observed under temperature increase from 15 to 293 K. The observed effects in the spectra of Er³⁺ and Nd³⁺ doped crystals were interpreted as a result of reabsorption of 5d-4f luminescence escaping from the bulk of the crystals.     

Optical transitions of Pr3+ and Er3+ ions in LiYF4

The optical absorption, emission, and excitation spectra of Pr³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in LiYF₄ have been measured and energy level schemes established which agree with previous work. The temperature dependence of the emission lifetimes were investigated and analyzed using the Huang-Rhys and Struck-Fonger treatments of multiphonon decay. The non-radiative processes in LiYF₄: Er³⁺ were shown to follow the same “gap law” behavior as Er³⁺ in LaF₃ and MnF₂. Theoretical fits to the Huang-Rhys model allowed the construction of a configuration coordinate diagram for the Er³⁺ system. The non-exponential temperature dependence of the ¹D₂ lifetime in Pr³⁺ can be understood as a non-radiative transition from higher levels.     

Spectroscopic properties of Er3+ ions in cadmium and alkali cadmium borosulphate glasses

Spectroscopic properties of Er³⁺:CBS (CdSO₄+B₂O₃ and R₂SO₄+CdSO₄+B₂O₃, R₂SO₄=Li₂SO₄.H₂O, Na₂SO₄, K₂SO₄ and Gd₂(SO₄)₃.8H₂O) glasses are reported. The assigned energy level data of Er³⁺(4f ¹¹) in these glasses are analysed in terms of a parametrized model Hamiltonian. The standard deviations of the data fits are between 39 and 47 cm⁻¹ so that the energy level schemes of the Er³⁺(4f ¹¹) ions in borosulphate (CBS) glasses are reasonably well reproduced. Radiative properties for the fluorescent levels of Er³⁺:CBS glasses are determined by using the Judd-Ofelt theory. The potential laser transitions are identified with the help of predicted radiative properties which are compared and discussed with similar results.     

Spectroscopic and laser properties of Er3+-doped monoclinic BaY2F8 single crystals

The luminescence and absorption properties of Ba(Y_1−x Er _x )₂F₈ (x=0.001, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) and the Er³⁺-ion decay kinetics of luminescent transitions from three initial laser states, the⁴S_3/2,⁴F._9/2 and⁴I_11/2 manifolds, were measured. The crystal-field splitting schemes for allJ-manifolds which are involved in (J →J′)-luminescence transitions and stimulated emission parameters of Er³⁺ -ions in BaY₂F₈ were determined. A comparison of laser powers and efficiencies of BaY₂F₈ and Y₃Al₅O₁₂, Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ and LiYF₄ single crystals doped with Er³⁺-ions shows the similar performance of these materials.

     

UV and VUV spectroscopic study of Na0.4Y0.6F2.2 crystals doped with rare-earth ions

The short-wavelength transmission spectra of Na_0.4 R _0.6F_2.2 crystals with R = Y, Yb, or Lu have been investigated. For these crystals, the VUV transmission cutoffs are 78750, 58820, and 75200 cm^?1, respectively. The 4f ⁿ–4f ^n?15d absorption and excitation spectra of Na_0.4Y_0.6F_2.2 crystals activated with Ce³⁺, Pr³⁺, Nd³⁺, Er³⁺, Tm³⁺, and Yb³⁺ ions have been analyzed in the range 30000–80000 cm^?1. The energy positions of the lowest levels of the 4f ^n?15d configurations of these ions in the fluorite crystal matrix Na_0.4Y_0.6F_2.2 are determined. The absorption band in the spectral range 60600–70000 cm^?1 in Na_0.4(Y, Yb)_0.6F_2.2 crystals is due to the charge transfer from F^? to Yb³⁺. It is shown that the environmental symmetry of Ce³⁺ ions in Na_0.4R_0.6F_2.2 (R = Y, Yb, Lu) crystals is almost identical.     

Spectroscopic and laser properties of Er3+-doped monoclinic BaY2F8 single crystals

The luminescence and absorption properties of Ba(Y_1–x Er _x )₂F₈ (x=0.001, 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3) and the Er³⁺-ion decay kinetics of luminescent transitions from three initial laser states, the⁴S_3/2,⁴F._9/2 and⁴I_11/2 manifolds, were measured. The crystal-field splitting schemes for allJ-manifolds which are involved in (J J)-luminescence transitions and stimulated emission parameters of Er³⁺ -ions in BaY₂F₈ were determined. A comparison of laser powers and efficiencies of BaY₂F₈ and Y₃Al₅O₁₂, Lu₃Al₅O₁₂ and LiYF₄ single crystals doped with Er³⁺-ions shows the similar performance of these materials.     

Vibronic Transitions of Trivalent Er and Ce in BaY2F8 Single Crystals

High resolution (0.02 cm^?1) Fourier transform spectroscopy was applied in the 9–300 K and 100–24,000cm^?1 ranges, respectively, to detect in Er^3? and Ce^3? doped BaY₂F₈ single crystals (1) the narrow line spectra due to the intraconfigurational 4f→4f transitions of the rare earths (RE) and (2) the possible vibronic tails accompanying the zero-phonon lines. The ²F_5/2→²F_7/2 transition was monitored for the Ce^3?-doping and the crystal field splitting of the initial and final manifold was determined. Weak vibronic spectra accompanying six among the nine investigated 4f→4f transitions of Er^3? and the ²F_5/2→²F_7/2 transition of Ce^3? were detected. The vibronic spectra amplitude was found to scale with the RE contents. On the basis of the IR- and Raman-active vibrational modes, either measured or quoted in the literature, most of the vibronic lines could be successfully assigned to the lattice modes. Violations of the selection rules were envisaged and discussed.     

Optical spectra of (CdF2)0.9(InF3)0.1 semiconductor solid solutions

The differences in the optical spectra of CdF₂:In semiconductors with bistable DX centers (concentrated (CdF₂)_0.9(InF₃)_0.1 solid solutions) and “standard” samples with a lower impurity concentration used to record holograms are discussed. In contrast to the standard samples, in which complete decay of two-electron DX states and transfer of electrons to shallow donor levels may occur at low temperatures, long-term irradiation of a (CdF₂)_0.9(InF₃)_0.1 solid solution by UV or visible light leads to decay of no more than 20% deep centers. The experimental data and estimates of the statistical distribution of electrons over energy levels in this crystal give the total electron concentration, neutral donor concentration, and concentration of deep two-electron centers to be ～5 × 10¹⁸ cm^?3, ～9 × 10¹⁷ cm^?3, and more than 1 × 10²⁰ cm^?3, respectively. These estimates show that the majority of impurity ions are located in clusters and can form only deep two-electron states in CdF₂ crystals with a high indium content. In this case, In³⁺ ions in a limited concentration (In³⁺ (～9 × 10¹⁷ cm^?3) are statistically distributed in the “unperturbed” CdF₂ lattice and, as in low-concentrated samples, form DX centers, which possess both shallow hydrogen-like and deep two-electron states.     

Excited-state absorption in Er: BaY2F8 and Cs3Er2Br9 and comparison with Er: LiYF4

The influence of Excited-State Absorption (ESA) on the green laser transition and the overlap of Ground-State Absorption (GSA) and ESA for 970 nm upconversion pumping in erbium is investigated in Er³⁺ : BaY₂F₈ and Cs₃Er₂Br₉. Results are compared to Er³⁺ : LiYF₄. In Er³⁺: BaY₂F₈, a good overlap between GSA and ESA is found at 969 nm in one polarization direction. The emission cross section at 550 nm is a factor of two smaller than in LiYF₄. In Cs₃Er₂Br₉, the smaller Stark splitting of the levels shifts the wavelengths of the green emission and ESA from⁴ I _{1 3/2} off resonance. It enhances, however, ground-state reabsorption. The emission cross section at 550 nm is comparable to LiYF₄. Upconversion leads to significant green fluorescence from² H _9/2. A significant population of the⁴ I _11/2 level and ESA at 970 nm are not present under 800 nm pumping.     

Upconverted VUV luminescence of Nd and Er doped into LiYF4 crystals under XeF-laser excitation

The upconverted VUV (185 nm) and UV (230 and 260 nm) luminescence due to 5d-4f radiative transitions in Nd³⁺ ions doped into a LiYF₄ crystal has been obtained under excitation by 351/353 nm radiation from a XeF excimer laser. The maximum upconversion efficiency, defined as the ratio of intensity for 5d-4f luminescence to overall intensity for 5d-4f and 4f-4f luminescence from the ⁴D_3/2 Nd³⁺ level, has been estimated to be about 70% under optimal focusing conditions for XeF laser radiation. A redistribution of intensity between three main components of 5d-4f Nd³⁺ luminescence is observed under changing the excitation power density, which favors the most long-wavelength band (260 nm) at higher excitation density level. The effect is interpreted as being due to excited state absorption of radiation emitted. The upconverted VUV and UV luminescence from the high-lying ²F(2)_7/2 4f level of Er³⁺ doped into a LiYF₄ crystal has also been obtained under XeF-laser excitation the most intense line being at 280 nm from the spin-allowed transition to the ²H(2)_11/2 4f level of Er³⁺, but the efficiency of upconversion for Er³⁺ emission is low, less than 5%.     

4fN-15d energy levels of lanthanides: aquasi-angular-momentum approach and its application to Cs2NaYF6:Er3+

<正>The spin-orbit interaction of the 5d electron needs to be taken into account to give the proper energy structure for the 4f^N-15d configuration of heavy lanthanide ions occupying a site with ligands forming an octahedron.This paper derives theoretical results for the energy structure by treating the t₂ orbitals as quasi p orbitals and then using angular-momentum coupling techniques.An analytic expression for the electric dipole absorption line strengths between 4f^N multiplets and 4f^N-15d states is given in terms of various angular-momentum quantum numbers and re-coupling coefficients.The result is then applied to interpret the excitation spectrum of Cs₂NaYF₆:Er³⁺.The high-spin and low-spin states of Cs₂NaYF₆:Er³⁺ are discussed in terms of the wavefunctions obtained by using the developed theoretical model.     

Er3+-doped sol–gel SnO2 for optical laser and amplifier applications

Erbium-doped tin dioxide (SnO₂:Er³⁺) was obtained by the sol–gel method. Spectroscopic properties of the SnO₂:Er³⁺ are analyzed from the Judd–Ofelt (JO) theory. The JO model has been applied to absorption intensities of Er³⁺ (4f¹¹) transitions to establish the so-called Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters: Ω₂, Ω₄, and Ω₆. With the weak spectroscopic quality factors Ω₄/Ω₆, we expect a relatively prominent infrared laser emission. The intensity parameters are used to determine the spontaneous emission probabilities of some relevant transitions, the branching ratios, and the radiative lifetimes of several excited states of Er³⁺. The emission cross section (1.31×10^-20 cm²) is evaluated at 1.54 μm and was found to be relatively high compared to that of erbium in other systems. Efficient green and red up-conversion luminescence were observed, at room temperature, using a 798-nm excitation wavelength. The green up-conversion emission is mainly due to the excited state absorption from ⁴ I _11/2, which populates the ⁴ F _3/2,5/2 states. The red up-conversion emission is due to the energy transfer process described by Er³⁺ (⁴I_13/2)+Er³⁺(⁴I_11/2)→Er³⁺(⁴F_9/2)+Er³⁺ (⁴ I _15/2) and the cross-relaxation process. The efficient visible up-conversion and infrared luminescence indicate that Er³⁺-doped sol–gel SnO₂ is a promising laser and amplifier material. PACS 71.20.Eh; 74.25.Gz; 78.55.-m     

Analyses of 4f11 Energy Levels and Transition Intensities Between Stark Levels of Er3+ in Y3Al5O12

ABSTRACT

Absorption and fluorescence spectra obtained at temperatures as low as 4 K were investigated between 200 and 1550 nm on samples containing approximately 1.2 at. wt. % Er in Y₃Al₅O₁₂ (YAG). Within this wavelength range 125 experimental energy (Stark) levels were analyzed, representing data that span 29 ^2S+1 L _J multiplet manifolds of Er³⁺(4f¹¹) in D₂ sites up to an energy of 44,000 cm^?1. Agreement between calculated and observed Stark levels was achieved with an r.m.s. deviation of 11.2 cm^?1. These transitions originate from the ground-state Stark level in the ⁴I_15/2 manifold to J + 1/2 Stark levels associated with each of the 28 excited-state manifolds. A total of 88 ground-state absorption transition line strengths were measured for 19 ^2S+1 L _J multiplet manifolds between 280 and 1550 nm. For line strength measurements, the Er³⁺ ion is assumed to be distributed homogeneously throughout the D₂ cation sites of Y³⁺ in the lattice. The line strengths were analyzed with a weighted (E _i  ? C _i )/E _i , with an r.m.s. error of 0.25. Use of a “vector crystal field” parametrization resolves ambiguities in the transition intensity parameters and allows for the definition of polarization-resolved Judd-Ofelt parameters, which may have wide-ranging applicability for future Judd-Ofelt-type intensity calculations.     

Spectra of optical absorption and energy levels diagram of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions in bulk crystals of aluminum nitride

The absorption spectra of the Er³⁺ ions embedded in the AlN matrix have been investigated. The admixture of erbium was introduced in bulk AlN crystals by diffusion. The absorption lines, which are associated with the intraconfigurational electronic f–f-transitions from the ground ⁴ I _15/2-state to the levels of ion Er³⁺ excited states have been observed in the spectral range of 370–700 nm. The transitions to the state levels ⁴ F _9/2, ² H _11/2, ⁴ F _7/2, ⁴ F _5/2, ² H _9/2, and ⁴ G _11/2 have been investigated in detail at the temperature T = 2 K. The number of the observed lines for these transitions coincides with the theoretically possible one for the electronic f–f-transitions in the ions Er³⁺, which are in the crystal field with the symmetry below cubic. The narrowness of the observed lines and their number convincingly testify the replacement of preferably one regular crystalline position by erbium ions. The implementation of Er³⁺ in the Al³⁺ position with the local symmetry C _3v appears the most probable. The energy positions of the levels of excited states for the investigated transitions have been determined. The diagram of the Er³⁺ ion energy levels in the AlN crystals has been built.     

Low-temperature high-resolution VUV spectroscopy of Ce doped LiYF4, LiLuF4 and LuF3 crystals

For LiYF₄:Ce³⁺, LiLuF₄:Ce³⁺ and LuF₃:Ce³⁺ crystals UV/visible emission and time-resolved VUV/UV excitation spectra were recorded at liquid helium temperature with spectral resolution of 0.1 nm for excitation spectra and better than 0.3 nm for emission spectra. Well resolved fine structures due to zero-phonon lines were clearly observed in both excitation and emission spectra for LiYF₄:Ce³⁺ and LiLuF₄:Ce³⁺. For LuF₃:Ce³⁺ crystal no fine structure was detected in the spectra even at the highest spectral resolution. Under the host excitation, the fine structure for high-energy emission band of Ce³⁺ (5d-²F_5/2) in LiLuF₄:Ce³⁺ becomes well pronounced because of weaker reabsorption effect, as compared to Ce³⁺ 4f-5d absorption, due to small penetration depth for exciting radiation. As a result the crystal-field splitting for ²F_7/2 and ²F_5/2 levels of Ce³⁺ in LiLuF₄ crystal was measured. First observation of zero-phonon lines at ∼81,550 and ∼82,900 cm⁻¹ as well as vibronic side bands due to interconfigurational 4f¹⁴-4f¹³5d transitions in Lu³⁺ is reported for excitation spectrum of LiLuF₄:Ce³⁺.     

Luminescence study of the 4f5d configuration of Nd in LiYF4, LiLuF4 and BaY2F8 crystals

Ultraviolet fluorescence of Nd³⁺ ions induced by triphotonic excitation process was studied in Nd-doped LiYF₄, LiLuF₄ and BaY₂F₈ crystals using a technique of time-resolved spectroscopy. The observed ultraviolet luminescence was due to transitions between the bottom of 4f²5d configuration and 4f³ states of Nd³⁺ ions. Narrow emission lines superposed to the broadband emissions were observed. A detailed analysis of luminescence spectrum revealed that the narrow emissions are due to parity and spin allowed radiative transitions from the Stark levels of ⁴K_11/2(5d) state created by the electrostatic interaction between the 5d electron and the two electrons of the 4f² configuration. The narrow emissions are related to the high spin state (S=3/2) which gives f-f characteristics to the f-d broadband emissions. The narrow emissions superposed to the wide emission correspond to 18%, 34% and 43% of the integrated broadband emission at 262 nm observed in LiYF₄, LiLuF₄ and BaY₂F₈ crystals, respectively. Although the 5d-4f² interaction is observed to be weaker than 5d-crystal field interaction, it is stronger enough to select only the radiative transitions from 4f²5d configuration to 4f³ states that preserves the total spin S=3/2.