Satellite line mapping in Eu3+-Ce3+ and Pr3+-Ce3+ codoped Y2SiO5

In this work we perform a high-resolution spectroscopic investigation of Eu3+-Ce3+ and Pr3+-Ce3+ codoped Y2SiO5 crystals. Satellite line spectra were recorded at low temperatures around the Eu3+:F-7(0) -> D-5(0) and the Pr3+:H-3(4) -> D-1(2) transitions. It is observed that the incorporation of Ce3+ as a codopant notably changes the Eu3+ and Pr3+ satellite line patterns. Satellite lines measured in singly doped Eu3+:Y2SiO5 were found at the same spectral positions in Eu3+-Ce3+ codoped crystals. These coincident lines were concluded to be due to pairs of Eu3+ ions. Extra satellite lines appeared in the codoped crystals, which were assigned to Ce3+ related structures such as Ce3+-Eu3+ pairs. The analysis of the Pr3+ satellite line spectra presents further challenges. Satellite lines associated to Pr3+ pairs show weaker intensity, presumably due to the efficient quenching of the Pr3+ D-1(2) emission through cross-relaxation paths (D-1(2) -> (1)G(4); H-3(4) -> F-3(4)). The investigation of the Eu3+ and Pr3+ satellite line patterns in Y2SiO5 is particularly interesting for their exploitation in rare-earth based quantum computation schemes. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.