VUV AND UV FLUORESCENCE AND ABSORPTION STUDIES OF PR-3+-DOPED LILUF4 SINGLE-CRYSTALS

The laser-induced fluorescence spectrum of LiLuF4:Pr3+ single crystals, pumped by an F2 pulsed-discharge molecular laser at 157 nm, was obtained in the VUV and UV regions of the spectrum at room temperature. A number of new fluorescence peaks were observed for the first time to our knowledge. They were assigned to the dipole-allowed transitions 4f5d --> 4f2 of Pr3+ ion. In addition, the absorption spectrum of the crystal samples was recorded. The positions of the bands with the 4f5d configuration were found to be 46 412, 53 267, and 63 397 cm-1 from the ground state, H-3(4), of the Pr3+ ion. The edge (onset) of the 4f5d bands was at 45 100 cm-1.