Site-selective laser spectroscopy of Nd3+ and Eu3+ in pure and vanadiu
m codoped Bi12SiO20 (BSO) single crystals has been carried out in orde
r to investigate the possible crystal-field sites for rare earth ions.
Three different sites for Nd3+ and five different sites for Eu3+, whi
ch depend on vanadium concentration, were found and optically isolated
. A discussion on the nature of the Nd3+ and Eu3+ active sites as well
as the thermal quenching of their luminescence is also given. (C) 199
7 Elsevier Science B.V.