Photoluminescence of terbium ions in near-stoichiometric lithium niobate

We investigated the photoluminescence properties of near-stoichiometric LiNbO3 crystals doped with Tb only and double doped with Tb and Fe. Excitation spectra for the emission from the 5D4 state in both crystals have been studied in the range 200–500 nm. We observed two broad ultraviolet absorption bands and discussed their relations to Tb ions. Temperature dependence of the 5D4 emission intensity and lifetime showed strong quenching below room temperature.