Optical properties of , and ions in apatite, fluorite and phosphate glasses

The luminescence spectra of naturally occurring apatite Ca5[F∣(PO4)3] and fluorite CaF2 crystals, containing traces of rare-earth elements have been compared with phosphate glasses doped with Pr3+, Sm3+ and Er3+ ions. The selected excitation bands for luminescence of samarium and praseodymium ions were indicated. Separate emission of Sm3+ ions besides Pr3+ ions in apatite could be measured for , 359 and 372 nm and emission of Pr3+ ions was strengthened for . The Judd–Ofelt parameters and branching ratios for Pr3+ and Sm3+ doped phosphate glasses were determined. The spectroscopic quality factor was found to be 0,69 and 1,75 for Pr3+ and Sm3+ glasses, respectively.