VUV excitation and emission of Pr3+ in BaSiF6 and selecting host lattices with emission

Abstract We have studied the luminescence characteristics of Pr 3+ in BaSiF 6 powder samples co-doped with K + in the 60– 800 nm range at room and liquid He temperature. After excitation in the 4f5d configuration of Pr 3+ , emission from the 1 S 0 state is observed but no 4f5d→4f 2 emission. The 1 S 0 state is measured in excitation spectra as a weak line about 6200 cm −1 below the maximum of the lowest energy 4f5d crystal field state. Emission from the 3 P 0 and 1 D 2 multiplets is almost completely quenched which is not yet fully understood. Under band-to-band ( 11.7 eV or higher energy) excitation at 12 K , we observe excitonic emission, peaking at 327 nm , which is quenched at room temperature. A reliable prediction can be made whether 1 S 0 emission of Pr 3+ can be expected in a host lattice. It is based on the 4f n →4f n −1 5d excitation energy of other trivalent lanthanides or on the 4f 7 →4f 6 5d excitation energy of Eu 2+ in the same host lattice. It also appears that when 6 P 7/2 line emission of Eu 2+ is observed, 1 S 0 emission of Pr 3+ can be expected. A list of host lattices is presented for which 1 S 0 emission is expected when doped with Pr 3+ .