A polarization study of the C3v symmetry Pr3+ centre in BaF2:Pr3+ single crystals

Laser selective excitation and polarization studies of the dominant C3v symmetry Pr3+ centre in BaF2:0.1%Pr3+ crystals have been carried out in the 10-75 K temperature range. Crystal-field energy levels for seven of the 12 multiplets of Pr3+ have been derived and their irrep symmetry labels determined. A further two minor centres have also been identified; their fluorescence lifetimes for the 1D2 multiplet are much less than that of the C3v symmetry centre.