VUV and UV fluorescence and absorption studies of Nd3+ and Ho3+ ions in LiYF4 single crystals

The laser induced fluorescence spectra of LiYF4:ND3+ (YLF:Nd) and LiYF4:Ho3+ (YLF:Ho) single crystals, pumped by an F2 pulsed discharge molecular laser at 157 nm were obtained in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and ultraviolet (UV) regions of the spectrum. With this pumping arrangement a number of new fluorescence peaks were observed for the first time. They are assigned to the dipole allowed transitions 4f25d→4f3 and 4f95d→4f10 of the Nd3+ and Ho3+ ions, respectively. The absorption spectra of the same crystal samples in the VUV and UV spectral regions were taken as well. © 1994