Yb3+, Er3+: CeF3 crystals: Growth, first-principles simulation, and near-infrared optical properties br

Yb3+, Er3+: CeF3 crystals were successfully grown via Bridgman-Stockbarger technique, and their structure and physicochemical properties were characterized and analyzed. The results have shown that the maximum phonon vibrational frequency of the crystals is 391 cm-1. Under 980 nm excitation, Yb3+ ions doping can effectively improve the luminescence intensity at 1550 nm. The maximum luminescence intensity was achieved at the Yb3+ ion concentration of 3 at.%. The energy transfers, concentration quenching mechanisms and the factors affecting the fluorescence decay time were investigated in detail. The band gap structure, density of states and charge distribution of Yb3+, Er3+: CeF3 crystals were studied in depth by first principles simulation. This work proves that Yb3+, Er3+: CeF3 crystals have great potential for the near-infrared laser applications.