Vibronic coupling parameters and Stokes shift in thiogallate phosphors

This article is devoted to the problem of the electron-vibrational interaction in 4f-5d optical transitions and the calculation of the Stokes shift in thiogallate materials. Usually 4f-5d transitions give rise to the broad vibronic bands whose shape-function have been described and found, including terms corresponding to the emission (absorption) from both ground and first excited levels. This approximation can be applied not only at low temperatures, but at high temperatures also, including room temperature, when the most photoluminescence (PL) measurements are carried out. We estimate vibronic coupling parameters and make the fitting of experimental data for Ba, Ca and Sr thiogallates. The peculiarity of Stokes shift is discussed. The theoretical results are in good agreement with the experimental data.     

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.     

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.     

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.     

The luminescence of Tm2+ in strontium tetraborate

The 4f¹²5d→4f¹³ emission of Tm²⁺ is observed for the first time. It consists of a red band emission with vibronic structure. For a parity-allowed 4f-5d transition its decay time is long, viz. 230 μs. In addition intraconfigurational 4f¹³ line emission is observed. The results are compared to 4f-5d emissions of other divalent lanthanides in SrB₄O₇.     

Absorption Spectra of Lanthanide Complexes in Solution

Abstract

The 4f electrons of lanthanides yield three types of transitions: (i) Internal 4f-4f transitions which give rise to sharp, narrow bands of comparatively weak intensities which are Laporte forbidden. (ii) Allowed 4fⁿ?4f^n-1 (n – l)d, which are relatively broad and intense. (iii) Broad and often intense 4fⁿ?λ^?1 fⁿ⁺¹ electron transfer bands generally occurring in the ultraviolet region (λ^? represents a hole in the orbital concentratedmainly on the ligands).     

Photoluminescence spectra of rare earth doped CaGa2S4 single crystals

Six kind CaGa₂S₄ single crystals doped with different rare earth (RE) elements are grown by the horizontal Bridgman method, and their photoluminescence (PL) spectra are measured in the temperature range from 10 to 300 K. The PL spectra of Ce or Eu doped crystals have broad line shapes due to the phonon assisted 4f-5d transitions. On the other hand, those of Pr³⁺, Tb³⁺, Er³⁺ or Tm³⁺ doped samples show narrow ones owing to the 4f-4f transitions. The assignments of the electronic levels are made in reference to the reported data of RE 4f multiplets observed in same materials.     

钡钇氟化物中Eu2+离子的激发光谱和发射光谱

在298和77K下分别研究BaYF5(BaF2·YF3)中Eu2+的激发和发射光谱。Eu2+的发射光谱中,除了一个属5d-4f跃迁的宽发射带外,还有一组6PJ→8S7/2的4f-4f跃迁窄谱线发射。它们的发射强度与Eu2+的浓度和温度有关。由於Eu2+从4f7基态跃迁到4f65d1态产生两个宽的激发带,4f65d(eg)和4f65d(t2g)。实验证实,Eu2+的6PJ→8S7/2的窄谱线发射主要来自高能级的t2g激发能弛豫的结果。     

Crystal growth and luminescence properties of Pr-doped LuLiF4 single crystal

0.1, 1, and 3% Pr (with respect to Lu) doped LuLiF₄ (Pr:LuLiF₄) single crystals were grown by the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method. Transparency of the grown crystals was higher than 70% in the visible wavelength region with some absorption bands due to Pr³⁺ 4f-4f transitions. Intense absorption bands related with the Pr³⁺ 4f-5d transitions were observed at 190 and 215 nm. In radioluminescence spectra, Pr³⁺ 5d-4f emissions were observed at 220, 240, 340, and 405 nm. In the pulse height spectra recorded under ¹³⁷Cs γ-ray excitation, the Pr 3% doped sample showed the highest light yield of 2050 photons/MeV and the scintillation decay time of it exhibited 23 and 72 ns also excited by ¹³⁷Cs γ-ray.     

Vibronic transitions in the absorption spectrum of a U3+-doped elpasolite single crystal

Conclusions We have presented the absorption bands associated with f−f and f−d transitions. The investigated ion was placed in the center of symmetry. For that reason pure electric dipole f−f transitions are forbidden, but thet are allowed for f−d transitions. Nevertheless, pronounced vibronic transitions were obseved not only in the f−f lines but also for f−d bands. An assignment of the observed lines supported by previously reported Raman and IR spectra is proposed. Published in Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 62, No. 4, pp. 58–62, July–August, 1995.     

类锂硅离子软X射线激光研究

在激光等离子体典型参数条件下，利用碰撞－辐模型计算了类锂硅离子５ｆ－３ｄ和４ｆ－３ｄ跃的粒子数反转比率和激光增益系数。讨论了不同热带条件和不同冷却速度下，激光增益系统数的变化。计算结果表明，高功率，短脉冲激光生产的高温等离子体在快速冷却条件下能产生软Ｘ射的线激光增益。     

Positions of 4f and 5d energy levels of Ce in the band gap of CeF3, YAG and LSO

In this paper we show an efficient algorithm to compute, in an ab initio way, the absorption bands of Ce 4f–5d transitions and the position of the Ce 4f and 5d levels in the gap for Ce-doped inorganic crystals. Calculations have been performed on CeF₃ and Ce-doped LaF₃, YAG and LSO. The calculated absorption bands are in good agreement with experimental data. The calculated position of the Ce levels in the gap is not good enough, but useful and in agreement with experimental data within a certain error.     

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.     

Fast and efficient VUV/UV emissions from (Ba,La)F2:Er crystals

We report observation of fast and efficient VUV/UV luminescence from the mixed (Ba,La)F₂:Er crystals. The broad bands, peaking at 162.5, 181.9, 194.2, 202.8, 216.1, 233.5 and 281.5 nm and decaying, at 10 and 293 K, with time constants of 46 and 35 ns respectively, are due to spin-allowed transitions from the low-spin (LS) state of the 4f¹⁰5d configuration.We also observed a weak and slow broad band emission peaking at 170 nm due to the spin-forbidden transition from the high-spin (HS) state of the 4f¹⁰5d configuration.While at room temperature the excitation into any of the three identified LS bands (J=8, 7 and 6) dominating the excitation spectrum yields fast VUV and UV emissions, at 10 K the excitation into higher lying J=7 and 6 bands generates slow and sharp line emissions. The positions of these lines fit energies of transitions originating from the ²G_7/2 multiplet at 66140 cm⁻¹. The emission from the ²G_7/2 multiplet has been never, to the best of our knowledge, observed before.The efficient and fast VUV and UV emissions from the higher (LS, J=8) with almost no contribution from the lower (HS, J=8) level of the 4f¹⁰5d configuration are possible because the modified crystal field in (Ba,La)F₂ shifts the level of the (LS, J=8) state below the ²F_5/2 multiplet which, therefore, does not contribute to nonradiative relaxation between the LS and HS levels.We conclude that the ²G_7/2 and ²F_5/2 levels have major impact on VUV and UV emissions from the Er³⁺ ion in (Ba,La)F₂ contributing to complex emission pattern described in this report Their key role, elucidated by the VUV and UV luminescence spectroscopy, is consistent with predictions from a simple configuration coordinate model based on experimental results and calculations of the 4f¹¹ energy levels.     

Localized 4f states and dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in PrO2

Neutron spectroscopic measurements of the magnetic excitations in PrO2 reveal (1) sharp peaks characteristic of transitions between levels of the 4f(1) configuration of Pr4+ split by the cubic crystal field, and (2) broad bands of scattering centered near 30 and 160 meV. We present a simple model based on a vibronic Hamiltonian that accounts for these contrasting features of the data. The analysis shows that 90%+/-10% of the Pr ions have a localized 4f(1) configuration and provides strong evidence for a dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in the gamma(8) electronic ground state.     

Influence of large magnetic fields on non-radiative transitions from the A state of thiophosgene

In the present investigation we have examined fluorescence excitation spectra and fluorescence decay profiles for various vibronic bands in the X → A transitions of thiophosgene (Cl₂CS) under 10 mTorr in magnetic fields of up to 10 T. These experimental results indicated that the observed magnetic quenching (MQ) of the fluorescence can no longer be explained by the ordinary theory of the direct mechanism (DM). In order to interpret such experimental results in larger magnetic fields than 1.2 T, we have applied a new theory that was developed by solving the equation of motion for the density matrix. According to this theory, MQ due to DM is saturated in sufficiently large fields. This theoretical prediction is in agreement with the experimental results for the 4⁴ ₁, 4¹ ₀, 3¹ ₀4¹ ₀, 4³ ₀, and 1¹ ₀4¹ ₀ bands. Thus, we may conclude that the saturation of MQ due to DM is a new phenomenon characteristic of MQ in magnetic fields larger than 1.2 T. Moreover, we have examined the pressure dependence of MQ of the fluorescence in several vibronic bands. These experimental results show that MQ of the fluorescence under 10 mTorr is due mainly to the acceleration of intramolecular radiationless processes induced by magnetic fields.     

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.     

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 of BaGa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>4</Subscript> crystals activated by Eu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> and Ce<Superscript>3+</Superscript> ions

We have studied the effect of doping with Eu²⁺ and Ce³⁺ ions on the photoluminescence (PL) of BaGa₂Se₄ crystals in the temperature range 77–300 K. We have established that the broad bands with maxima at wavelengths 456 nm and 506 nm observed in the photoluminescence spectra of BaGa₂Se₄:Ce³⁺ crystals are due to intracenter transitions 5d → ²F_7/2 and 5d →²F_5/2 of the Ce³⁺ ions, while the broad photoluminescence band with maximum at 521 nm in the spectrum of BaGa₂Se₄:Eu²⁺ is associated with 4f⁶ 5d → 4f⁷ (⁸S_7/2) transitions of the Eu²⁺ ion. We show that in BaGa₂Se₄:Eu²⁺,Ce³⁺ crystals, excitation energy is transferred from the Ce³⁺ ions to the Eu²⁺ ions.     

On the theory of lasing at vibronic transitions in impurity crystals

Some aspects of lasing at vibronic transitions in impurity crystals are theoretically studied. The threshold conditions for a vibronic laser are shown to be dependent on the strength of the interaction of optical centers with a local vibration, which forms the vibronic spectrum, and the crystal lattice temperature. The theory can easily be generalized to the spectrum containing a structureless phonon sideband and well agrees with the experimental temperature dependence of the output power of a Mg₂SiO₄:Cr⁴⁺ forsterite laser.