A study of optical properties of Sm3+ ions in α-Na3Y(VO4)2 single crystals

Single crystals of α-Sm3+:Na3Y(VO4)2 have been grown by the flux growth method. The absorption (300 K) fluorescence (4.2 and 300 K) and excitation (7 and 300 K) spectra as well as the fluorescence dynamics of the Sm3+-doped title crystals are presented and analyzed in detail. The energy transfer between Sm3+–Sm3+ as well as from VO43− to Sm3+ were studied in detail. A Judd–Ofelt intensity analysis of the absorption (300 K) spectrum has been applied for determination of Ωλ parameters which in turn have been used in calculation of the radiative transition probability factor (A), fluorescence branching ratios (β), natural (radiative) lifetime of the 4G(4)5/2 level of Sm3+ and emission cross-section (σem). For the first time very large lifetimes of the Sm3+ fluorescence level have been observed.