4f2 to 4f5d excited state absorption in Pr3+-doped crystals

Abstract

We first report one photon classical spectroscopy of Pr 3+ -doped LiLuF 4 single crystals which leads to the energy level diagram for Pr 3+ levels in this host and to the 1 D 2 and 3 P 0 emitting level lifetimes. Then, excited state absorption (ESA) spectra from these metastable levels to 4f5d states are presented and the ESA cross-sections are in the order of 10 18 cm 2 . Subsequently, such upconversion excitation into the 4f5d states of Pr 3+ is used to generate the broad band 4f5d to 4f 2 UV fluorescence. Moreover, an energy transfer from Pr 3+ 4f5d states to Ce 3+ 5d states is clearly identified.