Inter and intraconfigurational luminescence of LiYF4:Er3+ under selective VUV excitation

Abstract

Electronic relaxation of selectivity excited LiYF4:Er3+ was investigated by means of time-integrated and time-resolved photoluminescence spectroscopy, using synchrotron radiation for excitation purposes. The range of excitation covered both Er3+ and host excitation up to 200 eV. Following Er3+ excitation, radiative cascades and cross relaxation were established. Under soft x-ray excitation, inelastic scattering of photoelectrons contributes to electronic relaxation.