Spectroscopic studies of erbium-doped potassium-lead double chloride crystals KPb2Cl5 : Er3+: 1. Optical spectra and relaxation of excited states of the erbium ion in potassium-lead double chloride crystals

Optical spectra, intensities of radiative and nonradiative transitions, and luminescence kinetics in erbium-doped potassium-lead double chloride crystals KPb2Cl5:Er3+ (KPC:Er3+) were investigated. The crystals were grown by the Bridaman-Stockbarger method. Their absorption and luminescence spectra were studied experimentally. The crystal-matrix absorption edge was determined at 80 and 300 K. Intensity parameters, radic ative transition probabilities, branching ratios, and nonradiative relaxation rates were estimated by the Judd-Ofelt method. The luminescence kinetics from the emitting levels (4)G(11/2), (2)G(9/2), S-4(3/2), and F-4(9/2) upon selective excitation was studied. (C) 2003 MAIK Nauka/Interperiodica.