Predictability of 5d level positions of the triply ionized lanthanides in halogenides and chalcogenides

Information on 4f-5d transition energies of the triply ionized lanthanides (Ce3+, Pr3+,...,Lu3+) in over 300 different compounds has been gathered, analyzed and occasionally re-interpreted. Some of the main results will be presented. New estimates will be given for the energy of the first electric dipole allowed and some of the spin forbidden fd transitions of the free (gaseous triply ionized lanthanides. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.