Transition intensities of trivalent lanthanide ions in solids: Revisiting the Judd-Ofelt theory

Abstract

We present a modified version of the Judd-Ofelt theory, which describes the intensities of f-f transitions by trivalent lanthanide ions (Ln${}^{3+}$) in solids. In our model, the properties of the dopant are calculated with well-established atomic-structure techniques, while the influence of the crystal-field potential is described by three adjustable parameters. By applying our model to europium (Eu${}^{3+}$), well-known to challenge the standard Judd-Ofelt theory, we are able to give a physical insight into all the transitions within the ground electronic configuration, and also to reproduce quantitatively experimental absorption oscillator strengths. Our model opens the possibility to interpret polarized-light transitions between individual levels of the ion-crystal system.

References in corpus (2)

• Magnetic Dipole and Electric Quadrupole Transitions in the Trivalent Lanthanide Series: Calculated Emission Rates and Oscillator Strengths
• Measuring the magnetic dipole transition of single nanorods by spectroscopy and Fourier microscopy