Effect of Ce co-doping on KY3F10:Pr crystals

A spectroscopic investigation on the effect of Ce3+ co-doping in fluoride KY3F10:Pr3+ crystals is presented. In particular spectroscopic measurements of three different samples of KY3F10 crystal doped with 0.3at% Pr3+ and co-doped with 0at%, 0.17at% and 0.3at% Ce3+ are discussed. Details on the growth of the crystals are also reported. Measurements were performed in the temperature range 10-300 K. Fluorescence and lifetime measurements have shown a cross relaxation between 3P0-1D2 levels of Pr3+ and 2F7/2-2F5/2 of Ce3+. Data exhibit that this effect is strictly related to the Cerium concentration.