Spectroscopic properties of Yb 3+-doped PbWO 4 single crystal

Abstract

Yb 3+-doped PbWO 4 single crystal was grown using modified vertical Bridgman method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, optical absorption spectra, X-ray excited luminescence (XEL), fluorescence of 2F 5/2→ 2F 7/2 and its lifetime at room temperature were investigated. PWO:Yb 3+ shows the broad absorption of Yb 3+ (850–1050 nm) and efficient emission (950–1100 nm). Annealing exerts a distinct influence on the PWO:Yb 3+ crystal, e.g. disappearance of color and annihilation of the absorption in the region around 450–750 nm, meanwhile the absorption of Yb 3+ ions was enhanced by the annealing treatment. A novel luminescence band on the X-ray excited luminescence spectra of PWO:Yb 3+ centered at about 500 nm was observed overlapped on that of PWO host.