Luminescence and photo-thermally stimulated defects creation processes in PbWO4 crystals doped with trivalent rare-earth ions

► UV emission of PbWO4: A3+ (A3+: La3+, Lu3+, Y3+, Ce3+, and Gd3+) crystals is studied. ► The emission is ascribed to the radiative decay of excitons localized near A3+ ions. ► The excitons are created at 3.85 eV excitation by a two-step process. ► Non-radiative decay of the excitons leads to the creation of (WO4)3−-A3+ centers.