VUV spectroscopy of pure and Sm2+ doped SrFCl crystals

Abstract The creation and relaxation of electronic excitations in pure crystalline SrFCl and Sm 2+ doped SrFCl were investigated using vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) spectroscopic methods. In the emission spectra of pure SrFCl and SrFCl : Sm 2+ a strong emission band in the vicinity of 4.7 eV was detected, connected to self‐trapped exciton (STE) having a Cl 2 − core. The threshold for creation of STE was detected at 8.5 eV in the excitation spectrum of pure SrFCl and at 7.6 eV for Sm 2+ doped SrFCl. It was demonstrated that the excitation spectrum of Sm 2+ emission is determined with direct excitation of a Sm 2+ center below 7.6 eV and with excitation of the SrFCl host above 7.6 eV.