Search

Abstract: Lead borate glasses were prepared and then heat treated in order to obtain transparent glass-ceramics. Controlled crystallization of precursor lead borate glass at appropriate annealing temperature and time led to formation of the PbWO4 crystallites. The observed broad blue emission band is related to the PbWO4 crystallites. The influence of PbX2 content (X=F, Cl, Br), PbF2 concentration and lanthanide doping (Eu, Dy) on the excitation and emission spectra of lead borate glass-ceramics containing PbWO4 phase was examined. The relationship between Pb–X bond and spectral line width of the blue emission can be successfully observed, when halogen X ions (X=F, Cl or Br) are also present in the distorted PbWO4 crystallites. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Multicomponent telluride-tungstate glasses containing Nd3+ and Er3+ ions were studied experimentally at 77 and 293K using spectroscopic methods. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters were derived from the absorption spectra and used to calculate the radiative lifetimes and branching ratios. The quantum efficiency η =0.95 of the 4F3/2 level of Nd3+ ion is higher than the typical value of other tellurite-based glasses. For low concentration of Er3+ ions, the luminescence decay of the 4S3/2 and 4I11/2 levels is governed by radiative transitions and multiphonon relaxation involving the Te-O highest energy vibrations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Luminescence of lead bismuthate glasses PbO-Bi2O3-Ga2O3 containing Dy3+ ions has been studied. Two overlapping luminescence bands corresponding to 3P1–1S0 transition of Bi3+ and 4F9/2 –6H13/2 transition of Dy3+ were detected under 480nm excitation. Comparison of luminescence features for the system under study to those reported for dysprosium-doped lead borate glass PbO-B2O3-Ga2O3 indicates that the luminescence of Dy3+ is efficiently quenched by Bi3+ ions. Analysis of luminescence dynamics implies that the excitation energy transfer from Dy3+ to Bi3+ is nonradiative. The theoretical calculations using Inokuti–Hirayama model confirm strong luminescence of Dy3+ ions in lead bismuthate glasses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nd-doped CaF2 crystal with high optical quality was obtained by a temperature gradient technique (TGT). Energies of the crystal field levels of Nd3+ multiplets relevant to laser operation were determined based on optical spectra recorded at T =10K. Room temperature absorption spectra were analyzed in the framework of the Judd–Ofelt theory to calculate radiative transition rates and luminescence branching ratios for the 4F3/2 level. The 4F3/2 radiative lifetime was calculated to be 1295μs whereas a monotonous decrease of the 4F3/2 luminescence lifetime value from 1.45ms to 0.9ms was observed when the temperature increased from 10K to 300K. The stimulated emission cross-section of 1.48×10−20 cm2 at 1061nm was determined using the Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg relation. All the results showed that Nd:CaF2 would be a promising gain media in solid-state lasers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Selected heavy metal glasses containing Yb3+ and Er3+ ions have been studied. Near-infrared luminescence spectra at 1.53μm and up-conversion spectra of Er3+ ions were registered under excitation of Yb3+ ions by 975nm diode laser line. The luminescence bands correspond to 4I13/2–4I15/2 (NIR), 4S3/2–4I15/2 (green) and 4F9/2–4I15/2 (red) transitions of Er3+, respectively. The optical transitions of rare earth ions have been examined as a function of glass host. The unusual large spectral linewidth nearly close to 110nm for 4I13/2–4I15/2 transition of Er3+ ions in Yb–Er co-doped lead borate glass was obtained, whereas long-lived NIR luminescence at 1.53μm was detected in lead germanate glass. The NIR luminescence and up-conversion phenomena strongly depend on stretching vibrations of glass host, which was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The paper presents the synthesis and spectroscopic properties of 46PbO:53P2O5:Ln2O3 glasses, where Ln=Sm or 0.1Sm+0.9Gd. The glasses show intense luminescence dominated by the orange 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 transition. The luminescence branching ratios and quantum yields have been computed using the Judd–Ofelt analysis of relevant absorption spectra and the observed luminescence lifetimes; the maximum found quantum yield was 69%. The lifetimes and the quantum yields depended on the time of heating the samples at high temperature and on the samarium concentration. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Good optical quality U3+-doped PbCl2 single crystals of the composition Pb0.99U0.01Cl2 have been obtained by the Bridgman–Stockbarger method. Luminescence spectra of the crystals were recorded in a wide spectral range at room and liquid nitrogen temperatures, and are discussed. Strong infrared emission was observed under 514nm laser pumping to the 5f26d1 bands. The lifetimes of the emitting levels in the visible and near infrared region are given. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Non hygroscopic U3+:KPb2Cl5 single crystals with a 0.1mol% U3+ nominal concentration and good optical quality have been obtained by the Bridgman–Stockbarger method. High-resolution absorption and emission spectra of the crystals were recorded at room temperature in the 4000–25000cm−1 and 4000–14000cm−1 spectral ranges, respectively. Excitation in the spectral region of 5f3 →5f26d1 transitions produced a strong near infrared emission from the 4F3/2 and 4I11/2 energy levels. A Judd–Ofelt intensity analysis has been performed in order to describe the electric dipole strengths of the observed transitions. The obtained phenomenological parameters were used to predict luminescence properties of U3+ ions doped in the KPb2Cl5 single crystal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The luminescence hosts K3YF6 and K3GdF6 were obtained in a single-crystal form. Their crystal structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. Both crystals adopt monoclinic system with space group P21/n, . Lattice parameters for K3YF6 are refined to the following values , , , and for K3GdF6 , , , . The vibrational analysis, IR and Raman spectroscopy at room temperature, was applied to these compounds in order to study the site symmetry of Y3+ and Gd3+ ions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Good quality U3+ doped LaBr3 single crystals with a 0.1mol% U3+ nominal concentration have been obtained by the Bridgman–Stockbarger method. Luminescence spectra of the crystals were recorded in a wide spectral range at room temperature. Excitation in the 5f26d1 spectral region produced a strong red and near infrared emission. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper deals with broadband near-infrared luminescence properties of lead germanate glass triply doped with Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+. Samples were excited at 800 nm and 975 nm. Their emission intensities and lifetimes depend significantly on Er3+ and Tm3+ concentrations. For samples excited at 800 nm, broadband emissions corresponding to the overlapped 3H4 → 3F4 (Tm3+) and 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 (Er3+) transitions centered at 1.45 µm and 1.5 µm was identified. Measurements of decay curves confirm reduction of 3H4 (Tm3+), 2F5/2 (Yb3+) and 4I13/2 (Er3+) luminescence lifetimes and the presence of energy-transfer processes. The maximal spectral bandwidth equal to 269 nm for the 3F4 → 3H6 transition of Tm3+ suggests that our glass co-doped with Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+ is a good candidate for broadband near-infrared emission. The energy transfer from 4I13/2 (Er3+) to 3F4 (Tm3+) and cross-relaxation processes are responsible for the enhancement of broadband luminescence near 1.8 µm attributed to the 3F4 → 3H6 transition of thulium ions in lead germanate glass under excitation of Yb3+ ions at 975 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Nd,Y:CaF2 crystals with diameter 3-inch were grown by TGT method. [•] Optical spectra of Nd,Y:CaF2 crystals were recorded at different temperatures. [•] Broad and flat emission spectra of Nd3+ ions were obtained by Y3+-codoping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Five different temperature sensing models were established for TZPN: Er glass system. • Glass material for optical systems operating in elevated temperature regimes. • Optical gain medium in the C- and L- telecom wavelength bands. • Stable intensity of laser emission in NIR region up to 525 K. In a comprehensive and novel approach, a diverse set of five functional models of temperature sensing were established for erbium-doped oxyfluorotellurite glass systems using temperature dependences of emission spectra and luminescence dynamics in the range from RT to up to 675 K. Maximum relative sensitivity at 300 K was established at 1.52%K−1 for the model based on thermally coupled levels and at 1.92%K−1 at 675 K utilizing the green-to-red ratio. To confirm usefulness of the models established for the considered glasses, material and spectroscopic analyses were performed. Differential thermal analysis yielded favorable results in terms of glass thermal stability, further improving with increase of dopant concentration. Radiative transition analysis was performed, along with calculation of absorption, emission and effective emission cross sections, yielding information on the lasing performance of the material. It was found that TZPN:Er is a promising material for temperature sensing and optical amplification in the C and L telecom bands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Transparent glass-ceramics were successfully prepared during controlled heat treatment of lead borate glasses. The PbF2 particles were dispersed into a borate glass matrix which was evidenced by X-ray diffraction analysis. The phase identification revealed that crystalline peaks can be related to the orthorhombic PbF2 phase. Green up-conversion luminescence due to the 4S3/2–4I15/2 transition of Er3+ ions was registered. In comparison to the precursor glass the luminescence intensity was considerably higher, whereas the luminescence linewidth slightly decreased in the studied oxyfluoride transparent glass-ceramics. It indicated that apart of the trivalent erbium was incorporated into the PbF2 crystalline phase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Upon UV–VUV excitation terbium doped K5Li2LaF10 emits white light coming from the 5D3 and 5D4 multiplets for content of Tb3+ up to 10at%. For higher concentrations (80 and 100at%) the emission becomes green. In excitation spectrum, recorded at 12K, the positions of the zero-phonon lines are not well determined. The spin allowed f–d transitions in this spectrum are similar to the cerium one in K5Li2LaF10: Ce3+, as van Pieterson proposed in the frames of Dorenbos’ model. The maxima of these terbium f–d transitions are found at: 46,976, 57,124, 59,404, 60,629 and 67,110cm−1. The lowest forbidden, high-spin d band is situated at 39,193cm−1. The lifetime of the 5D4 multiplet is 7.5ms and does not depend on the terbium concentration, but the 5D3 lifetimes are strongly influenced and amount to: 2710, 2130, 14.1, 9.5μs for 2, 10, 80, 100at% of terbium, respectively. This is in agreement with the colour rendering of these samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Spectra and decay curves of luminescence induced in a single crystal of LiTaO 3 :Pr3+ by femtosecond light pulses at different wavelengths from the UV-Blue and NIR regions were recorded and analyzed. It was found that excited levels involved in the broad UV absorption band of LiTaO 3 : Pr3+ are not able to relax via radiative transitions but they feed nonradiatively excited states of the ground Pr3+ configuration. Femtosecond pulse excitation in the NIR region results in an up-converted visible luminescence weakly affected by the pulse wavelength within the 1200 nm–1800 nm region. Spectra acquired imply that the supercontinuum (SC) generated does not promote single - or double-photon processes that may feed the 3P 0 or 1D 2 levels via transitions within the ground 4f2 configuration. It was concluded that the excitation mechanism is consistent with the multiphoton excitation (MPE) that feeds the 5d levels of Pr3+. • Conversion of femtosecond pulses into optically uniaxial system. • Down and up-conversion phenomena in LiTaO 3 :Pr3+ crystal. • Effect of supercontinuum generation on Pr3+ excited states excitation. • Ultrashort pulses induced change of electrical conductivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Er,Yb co-doped oxyfluorotellurite glasses for optical applications. • Down and up-conversion phenomena in TZPN:Er,Yb glasses. • Fluorescence Intensity Ratio for erbium thermally coupled excited states. • Influence of temperature-activated excitation energy flow on optical thermometry sensitivity. Oxyfluorotellurite glasses co-doped with erbium (0.5%) and ytterbium (2%, 5%) were manufactured from high purity reagents at 840 °C in air. Differential thermal analysis was used to estimate the temperatures of glass transition and glass crystallization of 2% and 5%Yb co-doped glasses. The effect of Yb3+ co-doping on relaxation dynamics of erbium excited states was demonstrated by the means of excitation, emission and fluorescence lifetime spectroscopy. Up-conversion luminescence spectra were studied in a function of temperature in the 295–675 K range, yielding information on thermal quenching of the emission and a temperature sensing model based on 2H 11/2 –4I 15/2 to 4S 3/2 –4I 15/2 erbium fluorescence intensity ratio. Application potential of the investigated material in optical sensor thermometry was evaluated. Maximum absolute and relative sensitivities were established at 6.45 × 10−3 K−1 at T = 675 K and 0.46 %K−1 at T = 400 K, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystal of La 3 Ga 5.5 Ta 0.5 O 14 (LGT) doped with Dy3+ was fabricated by the Czochralski technique and investigated employing methods of optical spectroscopy. Polarized optical absorption spectra and luminescence spectra were recorded at room temperature. Unpolarized absorption and luminescence spectra were recorded at 10 K. Spectra of blue luminescence related to transitions 4I 15/2 , 4F 9/2 → 6H 15/2 were recorded at several temperatures in the 300–773 K region. Dy3+ ions have the same symmetry sites in LGT but their spectra show inhomogeneous broadening due to structural disorder of the host and are markedly anisotropic. Results of the Judd-Ofelt treatment made it possible to assess emission cross sections for the 4F 9/2 → 6H 15/2 blue luminescence and for the 4F 9/2 → 6H 13/2 yellow luminescence employing Fuchtbauer-Ladenburg formula and reciprocity method. In particular, a spectral distribution of La 3 Ga 5.5 Ta 0.5 O 14 : Dy3+ σ-polarized luminescence band with an emission cross section σ em = 0.51 × 10−20 cm2 at 573.5 nm is favorable for a laser operation in the visible. Interpretation of the effect of temperature on the blue emission spectra leads to the conclusion that La 3 Ga 5.5 Ta 0.5 O 14 : Dy3+ is promising for application as luminescent thermometer. • Novel single crystal La 3 Ga 5.5 Ta 0.5 O 14 :Dy (LGT:Dy). • Detailed analysis of optical spectra and luminescence decay curves. • Potential visible laser operation at 573.5 nm. • Temperature sensitivity of LGT:Dy luminescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, spectroscopic properties of (Lu 0.25 Gd 0.75) 2(1-x) Tm 2x SiO 5 (x = 0.04 and 0.005) single crystals were investigated. The material was found to be biaxial, exhibiting strong optical anisotropy, as clearly demonstrated in polarized absorption and emission spectra. Data from room temperature polarized absorption spectra were used in calculations within the phenomenological Judd-Ofelt model. The intensity parameters Ω t were established at Ω 2 = 3.24 (±0.58), Ω 4 = 2.96 (±0.24) and Ω 6 = 0.86 (±0.14) [10−20 cm2]. The values of fluorescence lifetimes of the 1D 2 and 1G 4 levels were measured and subsequently compared with those calculated using the Judd-Ofelt theory. The strong absorption bands located at wavelengths around 355, 460 and 790 nm, related to the 3H 6 → 1D 2 , 1G 4 , 3H 4 transitions, were found suitable for optical pumping of the investigated material. The characteristics of emission spectra recorded in the blue (ca. 455 nm) and IR (ca. 1750 nm) regions indicate that further investigations of stimulated emission within those wavelength ranges are well justified and can be considered promising. • Spectroscopic investigations of Tm doped (Lu 0.25 Gd 0.75) 2 SiO 5 single crystals were conducted. • Material shows high potential for lasing in IR region ca. 1900 nm. • Influence of Anisotropy and temperature on spectroscopic properties is reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Single crystals of Gd 3 (Al,Ga) 5 O 12 with intentional stoichiometry Gd 3 Ga 2.5 Al 2.5 O 12 doped with 1%Tm3++x%Yb3+; (x = 1, 3, 5); were grown by the Czochralski method. Spectra and intensities of up-converted luminescence excited at 975 nm or 803 nm were measured as a function of temperature within 295 K–775 K region. It was found that for the two excitation wavelengths the growth of temperature brings about a decrease of an up-converted blue luminescence intensity. Thermally enhanced growth of nonradiative relaxation rates for excited states involved in the up-conversion process was determined based on an analysis of respective luminescence decay curves. Temperature-dependent change of fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) for the 3F 3,2 – 3H 6 /3H 4 – 3H 6 up-converted bands was observed and resulting absolute temperature sensitivity of 0.058 K-1 was found for GAGG:1%Tm,3%Yb at 725 K. • Single crystals for high temperature applications. • Thulium thermally coupled excited states in novel co-doped GAGG:Tm, Yb garnet crystals. • Impact of temperature-activated excitation energy flow on optical thermometry sensitivity. • Effect of optically active ions interplays and energy transfer phenomena on temperature sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thermal stability of oxyfluorotellurite glass systems, (65-x)TeO 2 -20ZnF 2 -12PbO-3Nb 2 O 5 -xPr 2 O 3 , doped with praseodymium was examined. The different concentrations of praseodymium oxide (x = 0.5 and 2 mol%) were applied to verify the thermal, optical and luminescence properties of the materials under study. The relatively high values of the Dietzel (ΔT) and Saad-Poulain (S or H') thermal stability factors determined using a differential thermal analysis (DTA) indicate the good thermal stability of the glass matrix, which gradually improves with the content of the active dopant. The temperature dependence of optical spectra in the temperature range 300-675 K for the VIS-NIR region was investigated. The involved Pr 3+ optical transition intensities and relaxation dynamic of the praseodymium luminescent level were determined. The ultrashort femtosecond pulses were utilized to examine a dynamic relaxation of the praseodymium luminescent levels. Although the measured emission of the Pr 3+ active ions in the studied glass encompasses the quite broad spectral region, the observed luminescence may only be attributed to 3 P J excited states. As a result, the observed decrease in the experimental lifetime for the 3 P 0 level along with the increasing activator content was identified as an intensification of the Pr-Pr interplay and the associated self-quenching process. The maximum relative sensitivities (S r ) estimated over a relatively wide temperature range are ~0.46% K -1 (at 300 K) for FIR (I 530 /I 497 ) and 0.20% K -1 (at 600 K) for FIR (I 630 /I 497 ), which seems to confirm the possibility of using investigated glasses in optical temperature sensors.

Interactions between plasmons and exciton nanoemitters in plexcitonic systems lead to fast and intense luminescence, desirable in optoelectonic devices, ultrafast optical switches and quantum information science. While luminescence enhancement through exciton-plasmon coupling has thus far been mostly demonstrated in micro- and nanoscale structures, analogous demonstrations in bulk materials have been largely neglected. Here we present a bulk nanocomposite glass doped with cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) and silver nanoparticles, nAg, which act as exciton and plasmon sources, respectively. This glass exhibits ultranarrow, FWHM = 13 nm, and ultrafast, 90 ps, amplified photoluminescence (PL), λ em ≅503 nm, at room temperature under continuous-wave excitation, λ exc  = 405 nm. Numerical simulations confirm that the observed improvement in emission is a result of a multiscale light enhancement owing to the ensemble of QD-populated plasmonic nanocavities in the material. Power-dependent measurements indicate that >100 mW coherent light amplification occurs. These types of bulk plasmon-exciton composites could be designed comprising a plethora of components/functionalities, including emitters (QDs, rare earth and transition metal ions) and nanoplasmonic elements (Ag/Au/TCO, spherical/anisotropic/miscellaneous), to achieve targeted applications., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Crystals of Gd 3 Al 2.5 Ga 2.5 O 12 :Er 3+ , (Lu 0.3 Gd 0.7 ) 2 SiO 5 :Er 3+ and LiNbO 3 :Er 3+ compounds differing in origin and the nature of their inherent structural disorder were crystalized. Optical absorption and luminescence spectra for transitions between the 4 I 15/2 and the 4 I 13/2 multiplets of Er 3+ ions for the crystal samples were recorded versus temperatures in the region of 80-300 K. Gathered data were analyzed thoroughly providing the in-depth knowledge of the effects of temperature on intensities, wavelengths and bandwidths of Er 3+ transitions. The information acquired together with the knowledge of significant structural dissimilarities of the host crystals chosen made it possible to propose an interpretation of the impact of a structural disorder in Er 3+ -doped crystals on their spectroscopic properties, and to determine their lasing ability at cryogenic temperatures upon resonant (in-band) optical pumping.

Novel ternary fluoro-germano-tellurite (GTS) glasses doped with Er 3+ ions with 0.5 mol% and 1.0 mol% were fabricated by a conventional melt and quenching method and investigated using methods of optical spectroscopy. The room-temperature absorption spectrum was recorded and analyzed to determine radiative transition rates, radiative lifetimes, and branching ratios of Er 3+ luminescence. Decay curves of Er 3+ luminesccence were recorded and analyzed. Temperature dependences of emission spectra and absorption spectra in the region from RT (room-temperature) up to 675 K were studied in detail. The contribution of competing radiative and nonradiative processes to the relaxation of luminescent levels of Er 3+ was assessed. Absolute and relative sensitivity were established utilizing the comprehensive model based on thermally coupled 2 H 11/2 / 4 S 3/2 excited states of erbium. The high quantum efficiency of the first erbium-excited state and value of gain coefficient indicate that GTS:Er glass system can be considered as conceivable NIR (near infrared) laser material as well.

In this work, spectroscopic properties of europium and erbium ions in heavy metal oxide glasses have been studied. The phonon energy of the glass host was determined based on Eu 3+ excitation spectra measurements. Near-IR emission spectra at 1550 nm related to 4 I 13/2 → 4 I 15/2 transition of erbium in heavy metal glasses were examined with special regards to luminescence bandwidth and measured lifetime. In particular, correlation between phonon energy and the measured lifetime 4 I 13/2 (Er 3+ ) was proposed. The luminescence lifetime for the 4 I 13/2 upper laser state of erbium decreases with increasing phonon energy in glass matrices. Completely different results were obtained glass samples with europium ions, where the 5 D 0 lifetime increases with increasing phonon energy. Our investigations suggest that the values of measured 5 D 0 lifetime equal to radiative lifetimes for all heavy metal oxide glasses.

In the present work, we report on the combined experimental and theoretical studies of the 4f-5d spectra of Ce(3+), Pr(3+), Nd(3+), Eu(3+), Gd(3+), Tb(3+), Dy(3+), and Er(3+) ions in a newly synthesized K3YF6 matrix. The low temperature experimental 4f-5d excitation spectra have been analyzed and compared with the results of the energy-level and intensity calculations. For this theoretical analysis, the extended phenomenological crystal-field model for the 4f(N-1)5d configuration (i.e., the extended f-shell programs, developed by Prof. M. F. Reid) and exchange charge model (developed by Prof. B. Z. Malkin) have been used together to estimate the crystal field parameters and implement the spectral simulations. On the basis of the results of the performed theoretical analysis, we suggest the most probable positions occupied by optically active ions. Although the spectra of only eight lanthanide ions have been studied, the Hamiltonian parameters of the 4f(N-1)5d configuration have been evaluated for the whole lanthanide series and reported here for the first time, to give a complete and unified description of the spectroscopic properties of the trivalent rare earth ions in the chosen host. In addition to the studies of the 4f-5d transitions, various possible competitive excitation channels overlapping with 4f-5d ones have also been discussed, where a theoretical scheme giving rudiments to understand 4f-6s spectra are proposed for the first time. An excellent agreement between the calculated and measured excitation spectra shapes confirms validity of the performed analysis. The obtained parameters of the crystal field Hamiltonians for different ions and various electron configurations can be used in a straightforward way to generate the energy level positions and calculate the particular transition intensities for any rare earth ion in any particular spectral region. With the aid of the obtained parameters, the positions of the lowest energy levels of the 4f(N), 4f(N-1)5d ,and 4f(N-1)6s configurations of rare earth ions and 4f(N+1)(np)(5) configuration of rare earth ions and ligands (corresponding to the ligand-impurity ion charge transfer transitions) in the band gap of K3YF6 have all been estimated. The obtained Hamiltonian parameters and energy levels diagrams, which include the electronic structure of a host material, can be used as a starting point for analysis of spectroscopic properties of trivalent lanthanides in similar fluorides.

Lead borate based glasses have been analyzed using Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The formation of different borate groups and the direction of BO3 <--> BO4 conversion strongly depends on the PbO- and/or PbF2-to-B2O3 ratio in chemical composition. PbF2-PbO-B2O3 based glasses containing Er3+ ions have been studied after annealing. The orthorhombic PbF2 crystallites are formed during thermal treatment, which was evidenced by X-ray diffraction analysis. Near-infrared luminescence at 1530 nm and green up-conversion at 545 nm have been registered for samples before and after annealing. The luminescence bands correspond to 4I13/2-4I15/2 and 4S3/2-4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions, respectively. In comparison to the precursor glasses, the luminescence intensities are higher in the studied transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics. Simultaneously, the half-width of the luminescence lines slightly decreases. It can be the evidence that a small amount of the Er3+ ions is incorporated into the orthorhombic PbF2 phase.

Low-temperature emission and polarized absorption spectra have been recorded for U(3+) ions diluted in Cs(3)Lu(2)Cl(9) and Cs(3)Y(2)I(9) host crystals. The experimental crystal-field levels were fitted to 13 parameters of a semiempirical Hamiltonian representing the combined atomic, one-electron crystal field (CF) as well as two-particle correlation crystal-field (CCF) operators. The red shift of the first f-d transitions from approximately 14,800 cm(-1) in the spectrum of U(3+):Cs(3)Lu(2)Cl(9) to as low as 11,790 cm(-1) in that of U(3+):Cs(3)Y(2)I(9) has been attributed to an increase in the covalence of the U(3+)-X(-) bonds. Comparison of the differences in the Coulomb repulsion strength between U(3+) and Er(3+) ions in Cs(3)Lu(2)Cl(9) and Cs(3)Y(2)I(9) crystals suggests that the 5f electrons of U(3+) ions are more 3d-like than 4f. The CF splitting of the (2)H(9/2) and (4)F(5/2) multiplets is unexpectedly larger for U(3+):Cs(3)Y(2)I(9) than for U(3+):Cs(3)Lu(2)Cl(9), which may be viewed as a result of the proximity of f-d states. For a correct description of the energy level structure of the (2)H(9/)(2) and (4)F(5/2) multiplets, the inclusion of CCF terms in the parametric Hamiltonian has proved to be essential. The larger f-f transition intensities for U(3+):Cs(3)Y(2)I(9) were also considered to be a consequence of the red shift of the first f-d states. The inadequacy in determination of the minor atomic parameters (other than parameters for Coulomb and spin-orbit interactions) and the insufficient inclusion of the influence of excited configuration in the applied CF Hamiltonian are assumed to be the main deficiencies preventing a better agreement between the experimental and calculated energies of CF levels.