OPTICAL SPECTROSCOPY, FLUORESCENCE DYNAMICS AND CRYSTAL-FIELD ANALYSIS OF ER3+ IN YVO4

The polarized absorption spectra, emission spectra and fluorescence dy namics of Er3+ doped in YVO4 are presented and analyzed in detail. Jud d-Ofelt theory is applied to the measured absorption data to calculate the radiative decay rates for the various transitions of Er3+ in YVO4 . A comparison of the experimental fluorescence lifetimes and the calc ulated radiative transition rates is made. Thermalization of the H-2(1 1/2) level from the lower-lying S-4(3/2) is studied. Crystal-field ana lysis is performed that is based on a Hamiltonian of D-2d point-group symmetry. A best-fit analysis is performed resulting in an rms deviati on of 6.7 cm(-1).