Resonant energy transfer and cross relaxation between Sm3+ ions in LiYF4 crystals

► The decay time and the quantum yield of the Sm3+ luminescence in LiYF4. ► The formation probability of Sm3+-Sm3+ pairs in LiYF4. ► The resonant energy transfer between two Sm3+ ions. ► The luminescence quenching due to cross relaxation between two Sm3+ ions.