Spectral kinetics of Ce3+ ions in double-fluoride crystals with a scheelite structure

Abstract

The influence of the cation composition on the spectral kinetics of Ce 3+ ions in double-fluoride crystals with a scheelite structure is studied. The importance of the photodynamic processes induced in these crystals by the exciting radiation is demonstrated. The difference in luminescence quantum efficiency between Ce3+ ions in LiYF4 and LiLuF4 crystals is found to be due to the different lifetimes of color centers produced in the samples by the exciting radiation and to the different efficiency of the free-carrier recombination at cerium impurity centers. It is shown that Yb3+ ions can increase the carrier recombination rate in the crystals. © 2005 Pleiades Publishing, Inc.