Effects of the site symmetry and host polarizability on the hypersensitive transition 3P0→3F2 of Pr3+ in fluoride glasses

Observations and analysis of hypersensitive P-3(0)-->F-3(2) transition of Pr3+ ion are reported in a series of fluoride (fluoroindate, fluoroaluminate, and fluorozirconate) glasses. The data in fluoride families are also compared with the data on the selected tellurite and sulfide glasses. The structure of dopant sites in fluoride glasses and the mechanism of hypersensitivity are discussed in relation to the symmetry of dopant sites and host polarizability. The possibilities of quenching, or alternatively, of magnification of the hypersensitive transitions of rare-earth ions in the glassy hosts and their applications are discussed. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0021-8979(99)04513-2].