Spectroscopic characteristics of praseodymium-doped cubic double sodium-yttrium fluoride crystals Na0.4Y0.6F2.2:Pr3+. Intensities of optical transitions and luminescence kinetics

Using the Bridgman-Stockbarger technique, we have grown a series of cubic crystals Na_0.4Y_0.6F_2.2:Pr³⁺ (NYF:Pr³⁺) with a content of praseodymium in the range of 0.04–9 at %. We have determined the composition of crystals, evaluated their optical quality, and found the incorporation coefficient of Pr³⁺ ions into the Na_0.4Y_0.6F_2.2 matrix (K _Pr ～ 0.9). We have examined optical spectra of NaYF:Pr³⁺ crystals at room and low (7 K) temperatures in the range of 200–2500 nm. The low-temperature absorption spectra of NYF:Pr³⁺ crystals have been shown to consist of broad weakly structured bands. Based on the analysis of low-temperature absorption spectra, the structure of the Stark splitting of praseodymium levels has been represented in terms of a model of “quasi-centers,” which are characterized by an inhomogeneous broadening of Stark components. From experimental absorption cross-section spectra at T = 300 K, we have calculated oscillator strengths for transitions from the ground state ³ H ₄ to excited multiplets ³ H ₅, ³ H ₆, ³ F _j (j = 2, 3, 4), ¹ G ₄, ¹ D ₂, and (³ P _j ,¹ I ₆) (j = 0, 1, 2). Using the Judd-Ofelt method, we have determined intensity parameters Ω _t and found that Ω₂ = 0, Ω₄ = 4.4 × 10^?20, and Ω₆ = 2.28 × 10^?20 cm². With these values, we have calculated the probabilities of radiative transitions, the branching coefficients, and the lifetimes of the radiative levels ¹ D ₂ and ³ P ₀. The probabilities of multiphonon nonradiative transitions in NYF:Pr³⁺ crystals have been estimated. Using the method of kinetic spectroscopy with selective excitation, we have investigated the luminescence decay kinetics of praseodymium from the ³ P ₀ and ¹ D ₂ levels upon their selective resonant excitation by nanosecond laser pulses. The inference has been made that Na_0.4Y_0.6F_2.2:Pr³⁺ crystals are processable; admit doping by praseodymium in high concentrations; and, with respect to all their radiative characteristics, can be potentially considered as active media for converters of optical radiation and solid-state continuously tunable lasers in the visible range.