Dynamic studies on the time-resolved fluorescence of Sm in BaCl2

The time dependence of Sm²⁺ fluorescence in orthorhombic BaCl₂ was investigated between 77 and 300 K. The thermal quenching mechanism of the 4f-4f emissions of Sm²⁺ was examined. The position of the lowest level of Sm²⁺ 4f⁵5d states was calculated from the temperature dependence of ⁵D₁ lifetime by the two-step quenching model and was estimated in good approximation from the emission and excitation peaks by the electron-phonon coupling theory. A growing process of ⁵D₀-⁷F₀ emission and a double-decay process of 5d-4f emission were observed in the time-resolved fluorescence. They show clearly the population transfer among the Sm²⁺ excited states via thermal transition.     

Intensity and bandwidth of multiphonon vibronic transitions of rare-earth ions in crystals

The theory of multiphonon vibronic coupling to electronic transitions is applied in analysing fluorescence spectra of Eu²⁺ in BaFCI, which consist of the 4f⁷(⁶P_7/2,) → 4f⁷(⁸S_7/2) and 4f⁶5d → 4f⁷ transitions, and the 4f⁷-4f⁶5d excitation spectrum of Ce³⁺ in YPO⁴. The 4f electrons are weakly coupled to lattice vibration modes so that only weak one- and two-phonon sidebands are observable in the 4f-4f optical transitions, whereas the electron-phonon coupling is significantly stronger for a 5d electron. Accordingly, intensive multiphonon vibronic transitions overwhelmingly dominate the 4f⁶5d → 4f⁷ spectrum. It is shown that the extended Judd-Ofelt theory for weak vibronic coupling in the framework of the M-process is equivalent to the Huang-Rhys theory for the δ-process. In the analysis of experimental data, contributions from local ligand modes and lattice acoustic modes are separated, and the coupling strength is evaluated, in terms of the Huang-Rhys parameter S, for the 4f-4f and 5d-4f vibronic transitions.     

Study of the d-f Emission,and f-d Ground-State and Excited-State Absorption of Nd3+ in Crystals Using the Simple Model

The simplified model for 4f-5d transitions is applied to obtain the line strengths for emission, ground-state absorption and excited states absorption involving 4f-5d transitions of Nd³⁺ in crystals. The results are host independent for the usual case where 5d crystal-field interaction can be considered as strong, in the sense that the calculated 5d-4f emission relative line strengths will be the same for Nd³⁺ in any host. Also the calculated 4f-5d absorption line strengths can be grouped by the 5d crystal-field components. For each 5d crystal-field component, the group of absorption line strengths for different 4f²5d transition final states forms a pattern independent of the 5d crystal-field component and the host. For practical cases, due to strong but still limited 5d crystal-field splitting, the transitions to different 5d crystal-field components may overlap each other. The theoretical results are used to interpret available experimental data.     

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⁺.     

Site selective 4f5d spectroscopy of CaF2 : Pr

Spectroscopic investigations were performed on a single crystal of CaF₂ doped with 0.05% Pr³⁺. Three different Pr³⁺ sites with different luminescent properties were identified. The 4f² →4f¹5d¹ excitation spectrum of the first site has a sharp maximum at 221.3 nm. Excitation in the 4f5d bands of this site yields strong 4f5d emissions in the UV/VIS part of the spectrum and also weaker intraconfigurational 4f² emissions. By comparing the intraconfigurational 4f emissions and their decay times with data from the literature, these 4f5d bands are assigned to transitions on Pr³⁺ ions on a site with C_4V symmetry. The fd excitation spectrum of the second site has a zero phonon line at 223.3 nm. Upon selective excitation in this band, only 4f5d emission is observed. Probably, these 4f5d bands correspond to Pr³⁺ ions on a O_h site. The third set of 4f5d bands has a 4f5d onset at 208 nm. By comparison of the luminescence spectra of the intraconfigurational 4f² transitions with literature data, these transitions are assigned to Pr³⁺ on an L site. Excitation in these 4f5d band yields ¹S₀ emission followed by emission from the ³P₀ state. The present results clarify some contradictions reported in the literature.     

Observation and interpretation of the Tm<Superscript> 3+</Superscript> free ion spectrum

The emission spectrum of thulium produced by a vacuum spark source was observed in the wavelength range from 700 to 2320 ? on the 10.7 m normal-incidence vacuum ultraviolet spectrograph at the Paris-Meudon observatory. In the unknown spectrum of Tm IV, more than 760 lines have been identified for the first time as transitions between 157 levels of 4f¹¹5d, 33 levels of 4f¹¹6p, 9 levels of 4f¹¹6s and 10 levels of the 4f¹² ground configuration. A parametric interpretation of the levels has been carried out using the Cowan codes. Configuration interaction effects are discussed, in particular with the core-excited configurations 5p⁵4f¹³ and 5p⁵4f¹²5d. Radial Slater parameters derived from 4f¹² levels are larger than those pertaining to trivalent Tm ions in compounds. A selection of 105 prominent lines is given.     

Vacuum ultraviolet 5d14f9-4f10 emission of Ho3+ ions in alkaline-earth fluorides

Time-resolved emission and excitation spectra as well as emission decay kinetics of CaF₂, SrF₂, BaF₂ doped with HoF₃ were investigated. Intensive emission bands near 168 nm, having long decay time, are caused by the spin-forbidden transitions from the 5d¹4f⁹ high-spin states to the ground ⁵I₈ states of Ho³⁺ ions. Weak spin allowed 5d¹4f⁹(low-spin)-4f¹⁰ emission band at 158 nm was observed only in CaF₂–Ho crystals. Spin allowed and spin-forbidden excitation bands were observed near 166 and 155 nm, respectively, in all studied crystals. Fast component of spin-forbidden emissions due to multiphonon relaxation to low-lying 4f¹⁰ Ho³⁺ level also was observed for all crystals.     

Intra- and inter-configurational luminescence spectroscopy of Pr3+ -doped YPO4 nanophosphors

Nanopowders of YPO₄ phosphors with different Pr³⁺doping were successfully prepared by a sol gel method under different synthesis conditions. The crystallite size and strain show a strong dependence on the Pr³⁺ doping concentration and on the annealing temperature. By annealing at 300 °C one can obtain the xenotime structure of the pure YPO₄. The crystallite size can be controlled by controlling the annealing temperature and it increases with increasing the annealing temperature. The room temperature inter-configurational 4f² ↔ 4f5d and intra-configurational 4f²↔ 4f² emission-excitation transitions spectra are measured and investigated. Upon 4f² → 4f5d excitation transition, all the samples present broad intense emission bands attributed to 4f5d → 4f² emission transitions and peaks in red region assigned to ¹D₂→³H₄ transition as photon cascade emission phenomena (PCE). The presence of only ¹D₂→³H₄ transition is discussed. In addition, the ¹D₂ energy level lifetimes as well as the refractive indexes were determined and discussed.     

Line emission of SrBe2Si2O7:Eu2+ and BaBe2Si2O7:Eu2+

The compounds SrBe₂Si₂O₇ and BaBe₂Si₂O₇ both have the barylite structure. With 254 nm excitation, the Eu²⁺-activated compounds give UV emission peaking at 360 nm (Sr) and at 375 nm (Ba). Maximum quantum efficiencies of 40% (Sr) and 65% (Ba) were measured. The emission consists of a 5d-4f band emission as well as 4f-4f line emission, in contrast to many other Eu²⁺-activated oxides which generally show only 5d-4f band emission. At 77°K, both compounds show only the 4f-4f line emission peaking at 360 nm. At higher temperatures, 5d-4f band emission shows up at the cost of the line emission. A thermal equilibrium is assumed between the lowest excited 5d and 4f levels. The energy difference between these levels, calculated from the variation in the line-band intensity ratio with temperature, was computed to be 0.15 eV (Sr) and 0.09 eV (Ba). The occurrence of the line emission in the barylites is correlated with the weakness of the crystal field at the Eu²⁺ ions and with the high quenching temperature of the 5d-4f band emission.     

Absolute oscillator strengths of 5f-5f transitions of U4+ in ThBr4 and in hydrobromic acid solutions

Absolute oscillator strengths of 5f² transitions of U⁴⁺ in ThBr₄ and in hydrobromic acid solutions are found to be about 10^-4 which is two orders of magnitude larger than those for 4f-4f transitions (lanthanide series) and one order of magnitude larger than 5f³ ones (U³⁺). Applicability of Judd's theory to 5f² transitions is discussed with particular attention to the roles played by reduced matrix elements of odd rank tensor U^λ and by the proximity of the 6d configuration.     

A red oxide phosphor, Sr2ScAlO5:Eu2+ with perovskite-type structure, for white light-emitting diodes

Sr2ScAlO5:Eu2+,a red oxide phosphor with a perovskite-type structure,has been synthesized through a solid-state reaction and its luminescence properties have been investigated.An absorption band centering at 450 nm is observed from the diffuse reflection spectra and the excitation spectra,indicating that the phosphor can match perfectly with the blue light of InGaN light-emitting diodes.A broad red emission band at 620 nm is found from the emission spectra,originating from the 4f 6 5d-4f 7 transition of the Eu 2+ ions.The best doping content of Eu in this material is about 5%.Sr2ScAlO5:Eu2+is a highly promising red phosphor for use in white light-emitting diodes.     

Photo- and radio-excited luminescence properties of Eu-doped La2O3–Al2O3 based eutectics

Eutectic crystal of 0.5% Eu-doped 30LaAlO₃–70Al₂O₃ (vol %) was prepared by micro-pulling down (μ-PD) technique under nitrogen atmosphere. Being excited at a wavelength of 320 nm, the crystal exhibited intense emission band with a maximum at 450 nm which is corresponding to 4f⁶5d-4f⁷(⁸S_7/2) transitions of Eu²⁺. The decay time and fluorescence quantum efficiency (QE) were determined to be about 475 ns and 60%, respectively. When alpha-ray excited the crystal, both Eu²⁺ 4f⁶5d-4f⁷(⁸S_7/2) and Eu³⁺ 4f⁶-4f⁶ (⁵D₀-⁷F_1,2) emission peaks were observed at 435 nm and 600 nm. By the pulse height spectra, the relative scintillation light yield of the crystal was about 4% compared with that of BGO commercial scintillator.     

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.     

Luminescence and excitation spectra of YAG:Nd excited by synchrotron radiation

The low-temperature 4f²5d→4f³ fast emission of Nd³⁺ from YAG:Nd³⁺ has been studied under excitation by synchrotron radiation. Additionally, 4f³→4f³ luminescence of Nd³⁺ has been observed and assigned to transitions from the ²F(2)_5/2 and ⁴F_3/2 multiplet terms. The observed experimental spectra of Nd³⁺ d-f emission and f-d excitation are well simulated by crystal-field calculations.     

The luminescence properties of Eu2+ doped Na2CaMg(PO4)2 phosphor

The blue-emitting phosphors of Eu²⁺-doped Na₂CaMg(PO₄)₂ were prepared by high-temperature solid-state reaction. The crystal phase formation was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction measurement. The luminescence properties were investigated by photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra. The phosphor exhibited the blue luminescence due to the 4f⁶5d¹→4f⁷ transition of Eu²⁺ ions under the excitation of near UV light. The influence of temperature on the luminescence intensities and decay lifetimes of Eu²⁺ was investigated. An unusual increase of the decay lifetimes of the 4f⁶5d emission of Eu²⁺ ion is observed in Na₂CaMg(PO₄)₂ from 10 K to room temperature. The thermal stability of the luminescence of Eu²⁺-doped Na₂CaMg(PO₄)₂ was discussed.     

Charge transfer effects on the luminescent properties of Eu3+ in oxysulfides

Energy shifts of 4f⁶ states of Eu³⁺ in matrices, and phonon sidebands, linewidths and luminescence decay of Eu³⁺ in Ln₂O₂S (Ln=Lu, Y, Gd and La) have been studied. The charge transfer state (CTS) of Eu³⁺ is described by a model in which a hole is transferred from Eu³⁺ to ligands. Septet states obtained from the 4f⁷(⁸S) + hole configuration of CTS interact with the ⁷F term of the 4f⁶ configuration. This effect causes downward shifts of ⁷F_J states in matrices. Diffuse charge distributions for ⁷F_J states due to the mixing with CTS make the curvatuve of their adiabatic potential curves be smaller than that for ⁵D_J'. Such a difference in the potential curves between ⁷F_J and ⁵D_J' causes broadening of the absorption lines compared with the corresponding emission linewidths in Y₂O₂S. A dynamic Jahn-Teller model is proposed for the concentration-enhanced phonon sidebands accompanying 4f-4f transitions. The vibronics appear only in the excitation spectra and not in the emission spectra. Spectral distributions of the effective density of phonon states are obtained from the observed phonon sidebands for Ln₂O₂S: 5%Eu. The phonon spectra indicate delocalization of the 4f orbitals of Eu³⁺ with increasing the host-cation radius. The observed lifetimes of ⁵D₀ show a decrease in the same order due to decrease in the 4f-CTS mixing.     

Luminescence spectroscopy of high-energy 4f 11 levels of Er3+ in fluorides

The 4f¹¹ energy levels of Er³⁺ in LiYF₄ in the spectral region 39000–65000 cm^?1 have been studied. The agreement between experimental energy levels, obtained from luminescence excitation spectra, and calculated energy levels is good. Luminescence originating from high-lying energy levels has been investigated. Emission from the states ⁴D_1/2 (～47 200cm^?1), ²F(2)_7/2 (～54700cm^?1) and ²F(2)_5/2 (～63 300cm^?1) is observed. ²F(2)_5/2 emission occurs for Er³⁺ in LaF₃, where the ²F(2)_5/2 level is situated just below the lowest 4f¹⁰5d state, but also for Er³⁺ in LiYF₄, where it lies in between the two lowest 4f¹⁰5d states.     

OPTICAL ISOTOPE SHIFTS AND CONFIGURATION MIXING AT THE LEVEL (26772)011/2 IN Nd II

Optical isotope shifts in the transition 4f⁴5d ⁶I_11/2-(26772)⁰_11/2 of Nd II were measured by using collinear fast-ion-beam laser spectroscopy. The configuration admixtures of the previously unclassified (26772)⁰_11/2 level were quantitatively analyzed to be 4f⁴6p, 4f³5d², and 4f³5d6s with mixing probabilities of 13%, 85%, 2%, respectively.     

Optical transitions of Eu2+ IONS in RbMgF3 crystals

Because of the need for tunable solid state lasers in the blue region of the spectrum, a number of recent studies have been on the optical properties of Eu²⁺ in various crystals lattices. The absorption and emission from Eu²⁺ ions in fluoride hosts arise from both 5d→4f and 4f→4f transitions. The absorption is in the ultra-violet and the emission is in the blue. The 4f-4f transitions are very sharp and are located around 360 nm. The 5d→4f emission bands at 405 nm and 525 nm are broad and host lattice dependent. We have studied the temperature dependence of the optical properties of RbMgF₃:Eu²⁺ including absorption, emission, and excitation. In the case of the emission studies both temperature dependence and the lifetimes of the transitions have been measured. These transitions are discussed in detail.     

Excitation and Emission Spectra of Cs2NaLnCl6 Crystals Using Synchrotron Radiation

ABSTRACT

The visible emission and vacuum ultraviolet excitation spectra of the series Cs₂NaLnCl₆ (Ln = Y, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, Er, Yb) and Cs₂NaYCl₆:Ln³⁺ (Ln = Sm, Er) have been recorded using synchrotron radiation at room temperature, and in some cases at 10 K. The excitation spectra comprise features associated with charge transfer, excitation from the valence to conduction band, and impurity bands. No d–f emissions were observed for these Ln³⁺ ions, so that the emission bands comprise intraconfigurational 4f ^N –4f ^N transitions and impurity bands, whose natures are discussed. Theoretical simulations of the f–d absorption spectra have been included. The comparison with data from the synchrotron at Desy enables a comprehensive account of the ground (or vibrationally excited ground for Ln²⁺) states of the Ln³⁺ 4f ^N , Ln³⁺ 4f ^N?15d, and Ln²⁺ 4f ^N+1 configurations relative to the valence and conduction bands of Cs₂NaLnCl₆, for which the band gaps are between 6.6 and 8.1 eV.