RE 3+ VUV d → f luminescence investigated by synchrotron radiation excitation at HASYLAB

Abstract

Although known since many years, the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) 4 f n ↔ 4 f n−1 5d transitions of heavier trivalent rare earth ions were investigated in detail only during the last decade. An essential prerequisite was synchrotron radiation as a tuneable source of photon excitation in the VUV range. Luminescence spectroscopy under stateselective VUV excitation turned out to be particularly useful to characterize the 4 f n ↔ 4 f n−1 5d transitions. Most of the progress has been achieved at the Hamburger Synchrotronstrahlungslabor HASYLAB with its unique VUV luminescence facilities. The experiments stimulated calculations for a deep understanding of the transitions. Results of the main groups involved at HASYLAB will be compared. Besides the achievements, limitations and restrictions of the experiments and of the theoretical models get obvious. This may help to stimulate future work.

5d-4f Emission of Nd$^{3+}$, Sm$^{3+}$, Ho$^{3+}$, Er$^{3+}$, Tm$^{3+}$ Ions in Alkaline Earth Fluorides

“…MISSION from the 5d to 4f shell of rare earth ions doped into ionic crystals was extensively studied in the last decade [1]- [3]. The emission observed in vacuum ultraviolet region has potentiality for exploitation in lasers, scintillators or quantum cutting systems.…”