Abstract
Infrared and ultraviolet absorption spectra arising from f→f and f→d transitions of Ce3+ in YAlO3 crystals are presented and used to derive the 4f and 5d energy levels. Excitation and fluorescence spectra of 5d→4f emission are also reported. The 5d fluorescence has a decay time of 16 nsec and a radiative quantum efficiency of near unity at 300 °K. Possible use of Ce3+ as a sensitizer for rare‐earth and iron‐group ion fluorescence in YAlO3 is surveyed; included is an investigation of energy transfer in a Ce, Nd, Cr‐codoped crystal.