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Conduction band states and the 5d-4f laser transition of rare earth ion dopants

Conference ·
OSTI ID:431874
We discuss how the interactions of the 5d orbital with the conduction band of the host medium play a crucial role in determining whether rare earth containing materials can serve as useful laser materials, based on their 5d-4f transition. To explore this issue, we examine the pump-probe spectra of Sm[sup 2+], Eu[sup 2+], and Ce[sup 3+] dopants in various fluoride and chloride crystals. In addition we suggest that the luminescence properties are also profoundly impacted by this interaction. The outstanding UV laser performance achieved by the Ce:LiSrAlF[sub 6] crystal is rationalized in terms of the reduced overlap of conduction band states with the cerium ions.
Research Organization:
Lawrence Livermore National Lab., CA (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
W-7405-ENG-48
OSTI ID:
431874
Report Number(s):
UCRL-JC--124497; CONF-9609321--1; ON: DE97050771
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English