Optical absorption and emission of LiYF4:Pr3+

The optical absorption, emission and excitation spectra of Pr 3+ ions in LiYF 4 have been measured. Energy transfer is observed and an estimate of the energy transfer rate is made. The temperature dependence of the emission lifetimes for Pr 3+ and Er 3+ and the Judd-Ofelt theory were used to make this determination. The energy levels responsible for the various transitions have been assigned previously by Esterowitz et al. and the polarized optical absorption and emission data presented in this paper are in agreement with their excellent work.