Optical spectroscopy, fluorescence dynamics and crystal-field analysis of Er3+ in YVO4

The polarized absorption spectra, emission spectra and fluorescence dynamics of Er3+ doped in YVO4 are presented and analyzed in detail. Judd-Ofelt theory is applied to the measured absorption data to calculate the radiative decay rates for the various transitions of Er3+ in YVO4. A comparison of the experimental fluorescence lifetimes and the calculated radiative transition rates is made. Thermalization of the 2H11/2 level from the lower-lying 4S3/2 is studied. Crystal-field analysis is performed that is based on a Hamiltonian of D2d point-group symmetry. A best-fit analysis is performed resulting in an rms deviation of 6.7 cm-1