Spectroscopy of simple and double fluoride crystals activated with rare-earth ions (REIs)
The investigations include the experimental determination and theoretical calculations of the characteristics of optical transitions; studies of linear and nonlinear interactions between impurity ions responsible for excitation energy transfer, quenching of luminescence, and upconversion; the establishment of the conditions for attainment of an inversed population at the levels of potential laser transitions; and the determination of the absolute efficiency of up-conversion processes.
The investigations are aimed at the fabrication (in cooperation with Vavilov State Optical Institute) and studies of new crystals promising for practical applications (i) as new active media for UF and IR solid lasers in quantum electronics and (ii) as new optical materials for up- and down-converters used to increase the photovoltaic elements of solar cells.