VUV fluorescence from neodymium-doped fluorides using EUV-FEL

Abstract

Nd³⁺:LaF₃ and Nd³⁺:LuLiF₄ crystals were excited by extreme ultraviolet (EUV)-FEL from the Spring-8 compact SASE source (SCSS) test accelerator in RIKEN. Time resolved photo-luminescence spectra were obtained using a VUV streak camera system. Nd³⁺:LaF₃ has VUV emission at 172 nm while Nd³⁺:LuLiF₃ emission was at 178 nm and 182 nm. The temporal profile of these peaks was found to have a slow component, aside from the well-established fast component. The fast component cannot be observed in the case of excitation by other light sources. These results show that EUV-FEL is a powerful tool for surveying materials with VUV emission.