Electron spin resonance and optical measurements of yttrium ortho-vanadate, doped with Nd3+ ions

Absorption and emission spectra of CdF2:0.5% SmF3 crystal were investigated. The emission spectra were studied in the temperature range 6-300 K. It has been demonstrated that apart from the narrow f-f transitions of the Sm3+ ion there appears a broad band emission whose nature is briefly discussed.