Energy transfer and two-center optical transitions involving rare-earth and OH−impurities in condensed matter

Abstract

We present theoretical calculations for energy transfer and two-center optical processes involving simultaneous rare-earth electronic and O${\mathrm{H}}^{-}$ vibrational transitions in condensed matter. Along the lines sketched at the 1978 Paris Luminescence Conference [(J. Luminescence 1979)]. We use an electrostatic coupling model and perturbation theory to develop formal expressions for transition rates. Approximate expressions are derived and numerical results are presented for several specific processes and systems. Comparison with transition rates for rare-earth (RE) ion pairs indicates that the effects discussed can be observed experimentally. The importance of these effects as a local probe of the structure of the RE-ion's environment (not only in solids) as well as means for production of a high population of a specific RE excited state is noted.