Inter- and intraconfigurational luminescence of Er 3+ ions in BaY 2 F 8 under VUV excitation

Using energy- and time-resolved spectroscopy the luminescence properties of Er 3+ doped BaY 2 F 8 crystals were investigated at 10 v K under VUV synchrotron radiation excitation. Radiative intraconfigurational f - f and interconfigurational d - f transitions in Er 3+ ions were observed under f - d excitation. Whereas the onset of 4 S 3/2 population via f - d excitation starts at 59 900 v cm m 1 , efficient excitation of emissions arising from the 2 P 3/2 state begins only above 67 000 v cm m 1 in VUV region. Such behaviour can be explained by a cross-relaxation process of the type ( 2 F(2) 5/2 , 4 I 15/2 ) M ( 2 P 3/2 , 2 P 3/2 ) taking place within f -states of Er 3+ ions finally populating the emitting 2 P 3/2 state.