Satellite line mapping in Eu3+-Ce3+ and Pr3+-Ce3+ codoped Y2SiO5

In this work we perform a high-resolution spectroscopic investigation of Eu3+-Ce3+ and Pr3+-Ce3+ codoped Y2SiO5 crystals. Satellite line spectra were recorded at low temperatures around the Eu3+:7F0→5D0 and the Pr3+:3H4→1D2 transitions. It is observed that the incorporation of Ce3+ as a codopant notably changes the Eu3+ and Pr3+ satellite line patterns. Satellite lines measured in singly doped Eu3+:Y2SiO5 were found at the same spectral positions in Eu3+-Ce3+ codoped crystals. These coincident lines were concluded to be due to pairs of Eu3+ ions. Extra satellite lines appeared in the codoped crystals, which were assigned to Ce3+ related structures such as Ce3+-Eu3+ pairs. The analysis of the Pr3+ satellite line spectra presents further challenges. Satellite lines associated to Pr3+ pairs show weaker intensity, presumably due to the efficient quenching of the Pr3+1D2 emission through cross-relaxation paths (1D2→1G4; 3H4→3F4). The investigation of the Eu3+ and Pr3+ satellite line patterns in Y2SiO5 is particularly interesting for their exploitation in rare-earth based quantum computation schemes.