Luminescence and excitation energy transfer in new fluoride crystals containing rare earth ions

Abstract

Spectroscopic characteristics of Pr 3+ and Eu 3+ in K 2 Na 2 GdF 7 , K 5 Li 2 GdF 10 and K 3 GdF 6 fluoride matrices are considered. Crystal structures of these compounds have been ascertained based on X-ray measurement on single crystal samples. Energies of lattice vibrations have been derived from IR and Raman spectra. Spectroscopic features of crystals in the VUV region were studied using experimental facilities of the Superlumi station at HASYLAB in Hamburg. High-resolution spectra and decay curves of luminescence in the visible were used to determine the energy levels and excited state relaxation dynamics of luminescent ions. Relevance of energy transfer processes, which feed the 5 D J levels of Eu 3+ and the 3 P 0 level of Pr 3+ , is discussed.