Energy levels of lanthanide ions in a Lu2Si2O7 host

Abstract

Emission and excitation spectra of single crystals of Lu2Si2O7 doped with Ce3+, Pr3+, Nd3+, Sm3+, Eu3+, Tb3+, and Yb3+ were measured in the VUV and UV ranges in order to locate the lanthanide energy levels relative to the valence and conduction bands of the matrix. Predictive energy level diagrams for divalent and trivalent lanthanides in Lu2Si2O7 were also constructed thanks to the knowledge of only three parameters. The observed energies of 4f 5d transitions and charge transfer bands are in good agreement with predictions of the level schemes. Finally, as Lu2Si2O7: Ce3+ is an efficient scintillator material, these energy diagrams can also be used to go further in the scintillation mechanisms by identifying different traps observed in this scintillator. © 2005 The American Physical Society.