Spectra analysis of Tm3+ in K2YF5 Original Research Article

Emission and absorption spectra of Tm3+ in single crystal K2YF5 with different concentrations are reported and analyzed. The non-exponential feature of the fluorescence decay of 1D2 level for the high concentration sample indicates the existence of a cross-relaxation process. Energy level simulation has been carried out by using a phenomenological model with 16 parameters accounting simultaneously for the free ion and crystal field (CF) effects. A good fit was achieved with a root mean square deviation σ=18 cm−1. The free ion and CF effects were then discussed by comparing the available data of K2YF5:Nd3+, LiYF4:Tm3+ and LiYF4:Nd3+.