The Bridgman technology details of growing up to 100 mm-length Cr³⁺:LiCaAlF₆ crystals are reported. The spectral-kinetic luminescence and laser properties for the pulse lamp-pumped laser are discussed.

We presented the results of a spectroscopic study of LiCaAlF₆ (LiCAF) samples doped with Ce³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions. Change in the valence of the Yb³⁺ → Yb²⁺ ions were detected upon excitation resonant to Ce³⁺ absorption. Luminescence of Ce³⁺ and Yb²⁺ ions was observed at the wavelengths of 280–320 nm and 380 nm, respectively. We associate the appearance of divalent ytterbium with photoionization of Ce³⁺ ions and subsequent capture of a free charge carriers by Yb³⁺ ions. Based on the temperature dependence of the lifetimes of excited Yb²⁺, we conclude that energy transfer to the Yb³⁺ ion occurs due to the charge exchange processes of Yb²⁺ ions. However, we also see additional quenching of Yb²⁺ luminescence when the temperature is raised to room temperature.

Fluoride crystals with the colquiriite structure LiCaAlF6 doped with Ce3+ions are used as active media for lasers of ultraviolet spectral range with advantages of laser wavelength tuning...

Crystals of the UV lasers active media Ce³⁺:LiCaAlF₆, which are characterized by the formation of several types of Ce³⁺ ion centers, have been studied. The presence of nonequivalent impurity centers was confirmed by detection of zero-phonon lines for two centers in low-temperature luminescence spectra, as well as from EPR spectra for various magnetic field orientations relative to the crystallographic axes of the samples. We have shown that for Ce³⁺:LiCaAlF₆ crystals, with an increase in the concentration of Ce³⁺ ions in the melt , crystallization occurs in such a way that the concentration of impurity centers of lower symmetry increases to a greater extent than centers of higher symmetry . Moreover, laser oscillation belongs to precisely this type of center.