Aspects of Pr3+ luminescence in solids

A brief perspective on the influence of “host lattice-Pr3+” interactions on the optical properties of the Pr3+ ion in solids is presented. How the energy position of the Pr3+4f15d1 configuration relative to the 1S0, 3PJ and host lattice conduction band levels influences the Pr3+ optical properties is highlighted by considering solids in which the 4f15d1 configuration (1) is energetically above the 1S0 level, (2) is energetically below the 1S0 level, (3) is energetically close to the 1S0 level, and (4) overlaps with the host lattice conduction band.