Spectral-kinetic characteristics of Pr3+ luminescence in LiLuF4 host upon excitation in the UV–VUV range

Spectral-kinetic study of Pr3+ luminescence has been performed for LiLuF4:Pr(0.1 mol%) single crystal upon the excitation within 5–12 eV range at T=8 K. The fine-structure of Pr3+ 4f 2→4f 5d excitation spectra is shown for LiLuF4:Pr(0.1 mol%) to be affected by the efficient absorption transitions of Pr3+ ions into 4f 5d involving 4f 1 core in the ground state. Favourable conditions have been revealed in LiLuF4:Pr(0.1 mol%) for the transformation of UV–VUV excitation quanta into the visible range. Lightly doped LiLuF4:Pr crystals are considered as the promising luminescent materials possessing the efficient Pr3+ 3P0 visible emission upon UV–VUV excitation. The mechanism of energy transfer between Lu3+ host ion and Pr3+ impurity is discussed.