Optical spectroscopy of Eu3+ ions doped in YAl3 (BO3)4 crystal

Abstract The electronic structure of Eu 3+ ions doped in YAl 3 (BO 3 ) 4 crystal are investigated by means of room temperature absorption and emission spectroscopy in the 15,000–30,000 cm −1 range. The observed transitions are assigned and analyzed on the basis of group theory assuming that Eu 3+ ion occupies a D 3 symmetry site. Eu 3+ Free-ion energy diagram is presented and the corresponding free ion parameters are calculated. Calorimetric parameters of the Eu 3+ ions red emission in YAB are calculated ( x =0.67, y =0.32). The Judd–Ofelt parameterization is applied to the analysis of the room temperature absorption and emission spectra. The intensities parameters are determined as: Ω 2 =2.26×10 –20  cm 2 , Ω 4 =5.11×10 –20  cm 2 and Ω 6 =0.78×10 –20  cm 2 . These parameters are used to calculate, the line strength, radiative transition probability, fluorescence, branching ratio and radiative lifetime. The calculated 5 D 0 radiative life time around 3.6 ms is compared with the experimental value. The calculated quantum efficiency is about 35%.