Up-conversion processes and population dynamics of excited levels in Er/sup 3+/ doped KPb/sub 2/Cl/sub 5/ crystals as new potential VIS and IR laser material

In this paper, optical spectra, luminescence decays and up-conversion processes in Er/sup 3+/: KPb/sub 2/Cl/sub 5/ crystals, grown by Bridgman technique were studied. The luminescence spectra were recorded under UV and LD excitation, intensity parameters were determined by Judd-Ofelt method; radiative and radiationless transition probabilities were calculated. Luminescence kinetics from excited Er/sup 3+/ levels, studied under its selective laser excitation, concentration quenching and up conversion processes, were considered. The conclusion is made that the Er/sup 3+/:KPC crystals can be considered as one of the most promising active media for VIS and IR solid-state up-conversion LD pumped lasers with extremely low Stocks' losses.