Optical properties of Pr3+-doped Y2SiO5 crystals

Optical properties of Pr3+ doped in Y2SiO 5, including absorption spectra, emission spectra, and fluorescence decay, have been investigated with a special attention in the UV region. Broad band (270-350 nm) UV fluorescence assigned to the transitions 4f5d4f23HJ, 3FJ is found. The spontaneous transition probabilities in the 4f2 intraconfiguration are calculated by utilizing the Judd-Ofelt theory, by which three phenomenological parameters (Ω2, Ω4, Ω6,) are obtained by fitting the absorption spectra. For the evaluation of transition probability of the interconfiguration 4f5d4f2, a formula for electric dipole transition is employed. In comparison of the measured fluorescence lifetime with the calculated spontaneous radiative lifetime, the fluorescence quantum efficiency is deduced. © 2006 Chinese Physical Society and IOP Publishing Ltd.