The absorption spectra and excited state relaxation properties of lanthanide and actinide halide vapor complexes. I. ErCl3(AlCl3)x

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Abstract
The absorption spectrum of the vapor complex formed at elevated temperatures between ErCl3 and AlCl3 has been measured in the region 6000–44000 cm−1. The absorption band intensities were analyzed using the Judd–Ofelt theory for electric–dipole transitions. A good correlation between theory and experiment was obtained with the intensity parameters Ω2=25.8, Ω4=2.70, Ω6=2.01, all ×10−20 cm2. Based on this analysis, the radiative lifetimes of several excited states were computed, and the principal paths for radiative relaxation of these states were determined. The relationship between the existence of intense hypersensitive bands in the spectrum of the vapor complex and the site symmetry of the Er atoms is discussed, as is the possible use of Rydberg and charge transfer states for optically pumping the fn‐states.