Spectroscopic studies of erbium-doped potassium-lead double chloride crystals KPb2Cl5:Er3+: 1. Optical spectra and relaxation of excited states of the erbium ion in potassium-lead double chloride crystals

Optical spectra, intensities of radiative and nonradiative transitions, and luminescence kinetics in erbium-doped potassium-lead double chloride crystals KPb2Cl5:Er3+s(KPC:Er3+) were investigated. The crystals were grown by the Bridgman-Stockbarger method. Their absorption and luminescence spectra were studied experimentally. The crystal-matrix absorption edge was determined at 80 and 300 K. Intensity parameters, radiative transition probabilities, branching ratios, and nonradiative relaxation rates were estimated by the Judd-Ofelt method. The luminescence kinetics from the emitting levels 4G11/2, 2G9/2, 4S3/2, and 4F9/2 upon selective excitation was studied.