Spectroscopy and energy level location of the trivalent lanthanides in LiYP4O12

► The spectroscopy of most of the trivalent lanthanides in LiYP4O12 is presented for the first time. ► Charge transfer luminescence of Yb3+ is reported. ► We demonstrate that the energy of the first 4f-5d transition and the charge transfer band agree with predictive models. ► For the first time a scheme with the location of all lanthanide states (divalent and trivalent ) w.r.t. de-valence and conduction band of LIP4O12 is presented.