Optical transitions of Eu3+ ions in EuCl3 solutions

The optical absorption spectra of EuCl₃ in aqueous and acidic solutions were measured in the visible anduv regions of the spectrum. The concentration as well as the temperature of the solutions were varied to establish an accurate free-ion energy level scheme of Eu³⁺. The energy levels were assigned on the basis of a correlation between the calculated and the experimentally observed transition energies and associated band intensities.     

Emission characteristics of Dy3+ ions in lead antimony borate glasses

Glasses with the composition 30PbO–25Sb₂O₃–(45?x)B₂O₃–xDy₂O₃ for x=0 to 1 were prepared in steps of 0.2 by the melt-quenching method. Various physical parameters, viz., density, molar volume, and oxygen packing density, were evaluated. Optical absorption and luminescence spectra of all the glasses were recorded at room temperature. From the observed absorption edges optical band gap, the Urbach energies are calculated; the optical band gap is found to decrease with the concentration of Dy₂O₃. The Judd–Ofelt theory was applied to characterize the absorption and luminescence spectra of Dy³⁺ ions in these glasses. Following the luminescence spectra, various radiative properties, like transition probability A, branching ratio β and the radiative life time τ for different emission levels of Dy³⁺ ions, have been evaluated. The radiative lifetime for the ⁴F_9/2 multiplet has also been evaluated from the recorded life time decay curves, and the quantum efficiencies were estimated for all the glasses. The quantum efficiency is found to increase with the concentration of Dy₂O₃.     

Optical absorption and fluorescence studies of Dy3+-doped lead telluroborate glasses

Lead telluroborate (PTBDy) glasses doped with different Dy³⁺ ion concentrations were prepared by melt quenching technique and investigated through optical absorption, fluorescence and decay measurements. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω_λ) are obtained by a least square fit analysis. The small root mean square deviation of ±0.34×10^?6 shows a good fit between the experimental and calculated oscillator strengths. The radiative properties of the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 emission transition of PTBDy10 glass are determined and compared to the other reported glasses. The variation of decay time of the ⁴F_9/2 emission state is attributed to the interaction among the excited Dy³⁺ ions at higher concentration. The PTBDy10 glass is found to be a suitable candidate for solid state laser materials to produce intense yellow (576 nm) luminescence through the ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transition.     

Optical transitions in Er^3＋ doped lead germanate glasses

Er^{3+}- and Er^{3+}/Yb^{3+}-doped lead germanate glasses that are suitable for use in fibre lasers and optical amplifiers as well as optical waveguide devices have been fabricated and characterized. The absorption spectra from near-infrared to visible were obtained and the Judd－Ofelt parameters were determined from the absorption band. Intense and broad 1.53μm infrared fluorescence and visible upconversion luminescence were observed under 976 nm diode laser excitation. For 1.53μm emission band, the full widths at half-maximum are 36, 37, 51 nm for GPE, GPYE and GPFE samples, respectively. For frequency upconversion emission, the intense bands centred at around 524, 545, 657nm are due to the {}^4S_{3/2}+{}^2H_{11/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} and {}^4F_{9/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} transitions of Er^{3+} ions. The quadratic dependence of the green and red emissions on excitation power indicates that the two-photon absorption process occurs under the 976nm excitation.     

Optical properties of Eu3+ and Ho3+ in fluoride glasses

Conclusions Emission and excitation spectra as well as the lifetime and the Judd-Ofelt parameters were determined for the different sites occupied by Eu³⁺ ions in a fluorzirconate glass. As has been observed in borate glasses, the Ω₄ parameter increases with the excitation energy of the⁷F₀→⁵D₀ transition, while Ω₄ is nearly constant [5, 6]. These parameters are lower than in borate glasses by a factor of close to 3. The optical properties of the Eu³⁺ ions in the studied glass appear to be dominated by only one class of sites; however, the presence of a second class of sites is possible. Efficient energy transfer from Eu³⁺ to Ho³⁺ is observed, but the energy transfer parameter does not depend appreciably on the excitation wavelength. Published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 62, No. 4, pp. 185–190, July–August, 1995.     

Laser spectroscopy of Nd and Dy ions in lead borate glasses

The spectroscopic and laser properties of Nd³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions in lead borate glass were studied. Luminescence spectra recorded in the near-infrared and visible ranges correspond to ⁴F_3/2-⁴I_J/2 (J=9, 11, 13) transitions of Nd³⁺ and ⁴F_9/2-⁶H_J/2 (J=11, 13, 15) transitions of Dy³⁺, respectively. Luminescence decay curves were analyzed as a function of activator concentration. Luminescence quenching is observed, which is due to Ln-Ln interaction increasing. Several spectroscopic parameters relevant to laser potential of Ln³⁺ ions (Ln=Nd, Dy) in lead borate glass were determined. The relatively large values of the quantum efficiency and the room-temperature emission cross-section for the ⁴F_3/2-⁴I_11/2 transition of Nd³⁺ at 1061 nm and the ⁴F_9/2-⁶H_13/2 transition of Dy³⁺ at 573 nm imply that Ln-doped lead borate glasses can be considered as promising solid-state materials for laser applications.     

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.     

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 Sm3+ ions in lead fluorophosphate glasses

The Sm³⁺-doped lead fluorophosphate glasses of composition 44P₂O₅–17K₂O–9Al₂O₃–(24?x)PbF₂–6Na₂O–xSm₂O₃, where x=0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 2.0 mol%, have been prepared by conventional melt quenching technique and are characterized through differential thermal analysis, Raman, absorption and emission spectra and decay rate measurements. Free-ion Hamiltonian model for energy level analysis and Judd–Ofelt theory for spectral intensities have been used to analyze the spectroscopic properties of Sm³⁺ ions in lead fluorophosphate glasses. The decay rates for the ⁴G_5/2 level of Sm³⁺ ions have been measured and are found to be single exponential at lower concentration (≤0.1 mol% Sm₂O₃) and turn into non-exponential at higher concentrations (≥0.5 mol% Sm₂O₃) due to energy transfer through cross-relaxation. The experimental lifetimes for ⁴G_5/2 level of Sm³⁺ ions are found to decrease from 2.54 to 0.92 ms when the concentration increased from 0.01 to 2.0 mol% Sm₂O₃ due to energy transfer. In order to know the nature of the energy transfer mechanism, the non-exponential decay rates are well fitted to Inokuti–Hirayama model for S=6, which indicates that the energy transfer process is of dipole–dipole type.     

Hypersensitive transitions of Tm3+, Ho3+ and Dy3+ rare-earth ions in garnet crystals

In this work, spectroscopic characteristics (oscillator strengths, intensity parameters) of intermanifold f–f transitions of Tm^{3 +}, Ho³⁺and Dy³⁺ions in garnet crystals are investigated. It has been found that the intensity change of the hypersensitive intermanifold f–f transitions of rare-earth ions in garnet crystals is determined by the characteristics of their local environment.     

Intensities of f-f transitions in Pr3+ and Dy3+ in glasses in the near-IR spectral range

The absorption spectra of Pr³⁺ and Dy³⁺ ions in three glass matrices (SiO₂-P₂O₅-GeO₂, Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-SiO₂, and LiB₃O₅) are thoroughly studied in the near-IR spectral range (4600–14 300 cm^?1). The temperature dependences of the intensity, the width, and the location of the absorption bands observed are investigated for the first time. It is shown that the f-f transitions in the studied glasses are allowed by static odd distortions in the environment of the rare-earth ions and these distortions decrease with an increase in temperature. A comparative analysis of the absorption band parameters and their temperature behavior in different materials makes it possible to determine the differences in magnitudes, symmetries, and dispersions of the distortions in the nearest environment of rare-earth ions in different glasses.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance of Dy3+ ions in lead thiogallate single crystals

The results of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) studies of Dy³⁺ ions in lead thiogallate PbGa₂S₄ single crystals have been presented. It has been shown that the ground state of these ions corresponds to the lowest Stark sublevel Γ₆ of the term ⁶ H _15/2. The spectra are well described by the axially symmetric spin Hamiltonian with the effective spin S = 1/2 with the factors g _‖ = 15.06 and g _⊥ = 2.47. The Dy³⁺ ions substitute Pb²⁺ ions in the crystal lattice of PbGa₂S₄. The observed hyperfine structure has allowed to unambiguously interpret the EPR spectra. The hyperfine interaction constants of two odd isotopes of dysprosium in lead thiogallate single crystals have been found to be A _‖ = 675 × 10^?4 cm^?1 and A _⊥ = 111 × 10^?4 cm^?1 for ¹⁶³Dy and A _‖ = 472 × 10^?4 cm^?1 and A _⊥ = 77 × 10^?4 cm^?1 for ¹⁶¹Dy.     

Optical studies of ZnO nanocrystals doped with Eu3+ ions

Synthetic ZnO nanocrystals have been intentionally doped with Eu³⁺ ions. Structural analysis performed on the nanocrystals showed wurtzite-ZnO as the only phase present in the samples. Photoluminescence in emission and excitation modes allows the assignment of the intra-4f⁶ transitions for the Eu³⁺ ions. From the analysis of the optical data we are able to demonstrate that multiple Eu-related optical centres are present in the studied samples. Oxygen vacancies are likely candidates to be responsible for the ion accommodation in the ZnO lattice and from the photoluminescence excitation data we tentatively assign a trap level at ∼200 meV below the conduction band to this intrinsic defect. PACS 78.66.Hf; 78.67.-n; 82.80.Yc     

Optical properties of lithium magnesium borate glasses doped with Dy and Sm ions

Several studies showed the interesting properties of trivalent lanthanide ions when doped in various types of glasses. Optical and physical properties of lithium magnesium borate glasses doped with Dy³⁺ then with Sm³⁺ ions were determined by measuring their absorption and luminescence spectra in the visible region. The absorption spectra of Dy³⁺ showed eight absorption bands with hypersensitive transition at 1265 nm (⁶H_15/2→⁶F_11/2-⁶H_9/2) and three PL emission bands at 588 nm (⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2), 660 nm (⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2) and 775 nm (⁴F_9/2→⁶H_11/2). Regarding the Sm3⁺, nine absorption bands were observed with hypersensitive transition at 1237 nm (⁶H_5/2–⁶F_7/2); the PL spectrum showed four prominent peaks at ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_5/2 (yellow color), ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_7/2 (bright orange color), ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_9/2 (orange reddish color) and ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_11/2 (red color), respectively. Finally, a series of physical parameters such as the oscillator strengths, refractive index, ions concentration, Polaron radius and other parameters were calculated for each dopant.     

Optical characterization of the phosphate glasses containing pair transition ions

The paper deals with optical and electronic properties of the aluminophosphate glasses containing Fe–Mn and Fe–Cr ion pairs in different concentration. The influence of the mixed alkali ions over the electronic properties has been investigated. The optical behavior (optical transmission) of the glass samples has been studied by UV-VIS spectroscopy and the refractive index dependency on wavelength has been discussed. The transmission spectra show features specific for the doping transition ions (TM), revealing different oxidation states of iron (Fe²⁺/Fe³⁺), manganese (Mn²⁺/Mn³⁺) and chromium (Cr³⁺/Cr⁶⁺) in the vitreous network. Mössbauer spectroscopy offers information regarding the TM oxidation states, redox processes and the iron coordination symmetry in the vitreous network. In the case of Fe–Mn doped glasses, the percentage of Fe²⁺ is about 40% and a doubled iron content leads to an increasing of Fe²⁺ percentage up to 53%. The replacing of lithium ions by natrium ions (mixed alkali effect) provides an increasing of the Fe²⁺ percentage up to 56%. The occurrence of the tetrahedral or octahedral symmetry of Fe²⁺ ions bonded by O^2? ions depends on the transition ion nature and Li⁺/Na⁺ ratio. Infrared absorption spectra of the pair transition ions-doped aluminophosphate glasses reveal optical phonons specific for the phosphate glass matrix.