Excitation spectroscopy of K2YF5:Pr3+ crystals

Crystals of K2Y0.999Pr0.001F5 and K2Y0.98Pr0.02F5 were grown by the hydrothermal synthesis technique. The luminescent properties are investigated by performing low-temperature selective excitation. With laser excitation set at 583.7 nm, blue emission from 3P0 level of Pr3+ ions in K2YF5:Pr is observed and analyzed via an up-conversion model. Crystal field calculation of Pr3+ ions in K2YF5 has been performed and the phenomenological crystal field parameters determined. The root mean square standard deviation is 17.6 cm−1, indicating a satisfying agreement between the calculated and experimental levels.