Abstract

Rare earth ion pairs in isolators produce satellites for all optical transitions as a result of both the crystal field change induced at the site of each ion by its neighbour and the interaction between the two ions. The very narrow lines of diluted crystals make possible the selective excitation of these pairs and thus the direct study of the fundamental two ion mechanisms which are involved in transfer processes. Instead of measuring the average effect of transfer due to all classes of pairs, the rate can be measured for each class. The properties of concentrated crystals (a macroscopic result) can then be predicted from results obtained on pairs in a diluted sample (a microscopic measurement).

© 1984 Optical Society of America