The 5d level positions of the trivalent lanthanides in inorganic compounds

The literature on 4fn↔4fn−15d transitions of the trivalent lanthanides in inorganic compounds has been collected. From critically analyzing fd-excitation, absorption, reflection and df-emission spectra, values for the spectroscopic red shift of 5d levels and the stokes shift were determined. Data pertaining to 368 different lanthanide sites in over 300 different compounds (fluorides, chlorides, bromide, iodides, oxides, sulfides, selenides and oxy-nitrides) has been compiled. From the data, it is possible to predict for each of the 12 lanthanide ions (Ce3+, Pr3+ until Yb3+) doped in any of the compounds compiled, the position of the lowest 5d levels with typically ±600 cm−1 accuracy.