Optical properties of Pr3+, Sm3+ and Er3+ ions in apatite, fluorite and phosphate glasses

AbstractThe luminescence spectra of naturally occurring apatite Ca5[F∣(PO4)3] and fluorite CaF2 crystals, containing traces of rare-earth elements have been compared with phosphate glasses doped with Pr3+, Sm3+ and Er3+ ions. The selected excitation bands for luminescence of samarium and praseodymium ions were indicated. Separate emission of Sm3+ ions besides Pr3+ ions in apatite could be measured for λexc=335, 359 and 372 nm and emission of Pr3+ ions was strengthened for λexc=444nm. The Judd–Ofelt parameters and branching ratios for Pr3+ and Sm3+ doped phosphate glasses were determined. The spectroscopic quality factor X=Ω4/Ω6 was found to be 0,69 and 1,75 for Pr3+ and Sm3+ glasses, respectively