Observation of photon cascade emission in the Pr3+-doped perovskite KMgF3 Original Research Article

Pr3+-doped KMgF3 and YF3 were investigated by means of high energetic excitation with synchrotron radiation. In the emission spectra bands due to the intraconfigurational 4f2→4f2 transitions originating from the 1S0 and 3P0 multiplets of the Pr3+ ion have been identified for both materials. In the excitation spectra in the ultraviolet/vacuum-ultraviolet spectral range weak lines due to the 1S0 as well as broad bands due to the interconfigurational 4f2–4f5d transitions are observed. The quantum efficiency of the Pr3+:KMgF3 emission in the 400–750 nm spectral range is found to be higher than unity by comparison with that of Pr3+:YF3.