Optical absorption and emission from irradiated RbMgF3:Eu2+ and KMgF3:Eu2+

The optical properties of irradiated RbMgF₃:Eu²⁺ and KMgF₃:Eu²⁺ have been investigated. Previous research has shown that Eu²⁺ ions in unirradiated RbMgF₃ give rise to broad band absorption around 250 nm and sharp intense line emission at 360 nm. When this material is irradiated little or no change occurs in the 250 nm absorption, but the lifetime of the Eu²⁺ 360 nm transition is reduced. In addition, new emission is observed at 680 nm. In the case of irradiated KMgF₃:Eu²⁺ two new emission bands are observed at 600 and 800 nm. All of these transitions have short lifetimes and are not due to Eu³⁺ ions.