Emission spectra and trends for 4fn-15d <-> 4fn transitions of lanthanide ions: Experiment and theory

Luminescence spectra of 4f(n)<----> 4f(n-1)5d transitions of lanthanide ion s in LiYF4 are reported. Some interesting trends are observed. Lifetime mea surements for the spin allowed fd emission show that the electric dipole ma trix element for the fd transition decreases through the lanthanide series. Also the splitting between the high spin and low spin fd states decreases through the lanthanide series. Both effects are reproduced by calculations using a theoretical model that extends established models for the 4f(n) con figuration by including crystal field and spin-orbit interactions for the 5 d electron and the Coulomb interaction between the 4f and 5d electrons. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.