Blue-green emission of Pr3+ ions in LiNbO3

The emission properties of the P-3(0) State of praseodymium ions in lithium niobate crystal have been studied. Blue-green emission at 510 nm correspon ding to the P-3(0) --> H-3(4) transition in Pr3+:LiNbO3 crystals was genera ted after direct and up-conversion excitation with orange and infrared radi ation around 920 nm. The up-conversion mechanisms were shown to be energy t ransfer and excited state absorption for orange and infrared excitation, re spectively. The processes responsible for non-radiative relaxation of the P -3(0) state were also determined.