Observation of photon cascade emission in Pr3+-doped LuF3 and BaMgF4

Pr3+-doped LuF3 and BaMgF4 were investigated by high-energetic synchrotron radiation. In the emission spectra bands due to the intraconfigurational 4f2→4f2 transitions originating from the 1S0 and 3P0 multiplets of the Pr3+ ion have been identified. In the ultraviolet/vacuum-ultraviolet excitation spectra broad bands due to the interconfigurational 4f2–4f5d transitions as well as the weak line due to the 3H4→1S0 transition are observed. The emission quantum efficiency between 390 and 750 nm was calculated using the Judd–Ofelt approach and by comparison with that of Pr3+:YF3 to be approx. 1.6 for Pr3+:LuF3 and approx. 1.3 for Pr3+:BaMgF4.