Spectroscopic Properties Of Rare Earths In Optical Materials

Aimed at researchers and graduate students, this book provides up-to-date information about the electronic interactions that impact the optical properties of rare earth ions in solids. Its goal is to establish a connection between fundamental principles and the materials properties of rare-earth activated luminescent and laser optical materials. The theoretical survey and introduction to spectroscopic properties covers electronic energy level structure, intensities of optical transitions, ion-phonon interactions, line broadening, and energy transfer and up-conversion. An important aspect of the book lies in its deep and detailed discussions of materials properties and the potential of new applications such as optical storage, information processing, nanophotonics, and molecular probes that have been identified in recent experimental studies. This volume will be a valuable reference book on advanced topics of rare earth spectroscopy and materials science.

Optical spectroscopy has been instrumental in the discovery of many lanthanide elements. In return, these elements have always played a prominent role in lighting devices and light conversion technologies (Auer mantles, incandescent lamps, lasers, cathode-ray and plasma displays). They are also presently used in highly sensitive luminescent bio-analyses and cell imaging. This volume of the Handbook on the Physics and Chemistry of Rare Earths is entirely devoted to the photophysical properties of these elements. It is dedicated to the late Professor William T (Bill) Carnall who has pioneered the understanding of lanthanide spectra in the 1960’s and starts with a Dedication to this scientist. The following five chapters describe various aspects of lanthanide spectroscopy and its applications. Chapters 231 presents state-of-the-art theoretical calculations of lanthanide energy levels and transition intensities. It is followed by a review (Chapter 232) on both theoretical and experimental aspects of f-d transitions, a less well known field of lanthanide spectroscopy, yet very important for the design of new optical materials. Chapter 233 describes how confinement effects act on the photophysical properties of lanthanides when they are inserted into nanomaterials, including nanoparticles, nanosheets, nanowires, nanotubes, insulating and semiconductor nanocrystals. The use of lanthanide chelates for biomedical analyses is presented in Chapter 234; long lifetimes of the excited states of lanthanide ions allow the use of time-resolved spectroscopy, which leads to highly sensitive analyses devoid of background effect from the autofluorescence of the samples. The last review (Chapter 235) provides a comprehensive survey of near-infrared (NIR) emitting molecular probes and devices, spanning an all range of compounds, from simple chelates to macrocyclic complexes, heterometallic functional edifices, coordination polymers and other extended structures. Applications ranging from telecommunications to light-emitting diodes and biomedical analyses are assessed. - Provides a comprehensive look at optical spectroscopy and its applications- A volume in the continuing authoritative series which deals with the chemistry, materials science, physics and technology of the rare earth elements

Solid-state laser and luminescent materials activated by rare-earth or transition metals ions are widely used for solid-state lasers, luminescent lamps, flat displays, optical fibre communication systems, and other photonic devices. The unique solid-state electronic properties enable the activators in solids to emit photons efficiently in visible and IR regions. The rapid advances in both materials science and optoelectronics, particularly, the development of new methods of material synthesis and device fabrication, have been stimulating the growing interests in the deep insights of spectroscopic properties of solid-state laser and luminescent materials. This book brings together essential and practical knowledge of spectroscopic physics. This includes, atomic spectroscopy, mathematical theory, rare earth ions in materials, light emission and absorption, spectral properties, non-radiative transitions and energy migration.

This book is based on the Proceedings of the Institute Frontier Developments in Optics and Spectroscopy, held in Erice, Sicily, Italy, from the 17th of June to the 2nd of July 2007. The meeting was organized by the International School of Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy of the Ettore Majoran Center for Scientific Culture. Other Institutes organized by this School are listed on pp. vi-vii. The book can be downloaded for free through the Buy this book link on the right side of this page.

Recent studies indicate that China accounts for about 96 percent of the world’s supply of rare earth materials (REMs). With REMs becoming increasingly important for a growing number of high-tech applications, appropriate action must be taken to mitigate the effects of a shortage of critical REMs in defense systems and components. Bringing together information previously available only from disparate journal articles and databases, Rare Earth Materials: Properties and Applications describes the unique characteristics and applications of 17 REMs. It defines their chemical, electrical, thermal, and optical characteristics. Maintaining a focus on physical and chemical properties, it addresses the history and critical issues pertaining to mining and processing of REMs. In this book, Dr. A.R. Jha continues his distinguished track record of distilling complex theoretical physical concepts into an understandable technical framework that can be extended to practical applications across commercial and industrial frameworks. He summarizes the chemical, optical, electrical, thermal, magnetic, and spectroscopic properties of REMs best suited for next-generation commercial and military systems or equipment. Coverage includes extraction, recycling, refinement, visual inspection, identification of spectroscopic parameters, quality control, element separation based on specific application, pricing control, and environmental / geo-political considerations. Potential applications are identified with an emphasis on scientific instruments, nuclear resonance imaging equipment, MRI systems, magnetic couplers for uranium enrichment equipment, battery-electrodes, electric motors, electric generators, underwater sensors, and commercial and military sensors. The book describes unique applications of rare earth magnets in all-electric and hybrid electric cars and microwave components. It also considers the use of rare earth magnets in commercial and military systems where weight and size are the critical design requirements. Suitable for both students and design engineers involved in the development of high-technology components or systems, the book concludes by summarizing future applications in electro-optic systems and components, including infrared lasers, diode-pumped solid-state lasers operating at room temperatures, and other sophisticated military and commercial test equipment

The rare earth electronic transitions, widely exploited for optical applications, occur within the shielded 4f shell and originate very sharp absorption (or emission) lines in spectra of crystals measured at low temperatures. High resolution absorption spectroscopy, covering broad spectral and temperature ranges, is a powerful tool not only to supply a complete and precise energy level scheme for the rare earth in optical materials, but also to disclose finer details on rare earth environment and interactions with i) other rare earths, ii) lattice vibrations, and iii) nuclear magnetic moments. In the present work the experimental results, taken in the temperature range 9-300 K, covered a spectral region as wide as 75-25000 cm-1 at a resolution as fine as 0.01 cm-1. Their interpretation is supported by calculations based mainly on crystal field theory, superposition model, and nuclear-electronic hyperfine interaction analysis. In this framework, a review is presented on the results obtained by our group during the last years in single crystals (BaY2F8 and YAl3(BO3)4 doped with a variety of rare earths for laser and self frequency doubling applications), in Er-doped glasses, and in nanostructured glass-ceramics for integrated optics.