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.