High-resolution laser induced excitation spectroscopy and decay dynamics of YNbO₄:Er³

The rare earth materials have attracted intensive attention due to their strong luminescent characteristic. However, the split fine Stark levels are difficult to be determined. Here we report a room-temperature detection for Stark levels of YNbO₄: Er³⁺ using established laser-induced spectroscopy system with dye laser of superhigh resolution of wavelength at 0.005 nm. From excitation spectra, six split Stark levels of ⁴G_11/2 (Er³⁺) were directly detected. Moreover, nonradiative relaxations of ⁴G_9/2→⁴G_11/2 and ⁴G_11/2→²H_11/2/ ⁴S_3/2 have been observed with weighed lifetimes of 0.70 μs and 6.15 μs, and characteristic green emission of Er³⁺ (@555 nm) yields lifetime of 31.78 μs.