Abstract

We have measured the pump-probe spectrum for CaF₂:Sm²⁺ over a wide (360–1020 nm) spectral range. We observed gain throughout most of the 730-nm emission band, although there is some evidence of excited-state absorption (ESA) in this region. A much stronger ESA was observed near 500 nm. The temperature dependence of the ESA signal clearly indicates that the absorption is associated with divalent samarium. Because of the width and strength of this transition, we assign the ESA to a 4f⁵5d → conduction band transition. We calculated the oscillator strength for this ESA band to be 0.10 and rationalized its magnitude based on an intensity-borrowing mechanism that involves the transition from the valence band to the conduction band.

© 1991 Optical Society of America

Excited-state absorption spectra for optically forbidden f-f transitions in an Eu³⁺:Y₂SiO₅ crystal and Eu³⁺ aqueous solution

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Spectroscopic investigations of the 4f5d energy levels of Pr³⁺ in fluoride crystals by excited-state absorption and two-step excitation measurements

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Vacuum ultraviolet spectra of CaF₂:Eu⁺³ and CaF₂:Sm⁺³

M. Schlesinger and T. Szczurek
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