In this paper, the absorption and fluorescence spectra of Er3+, Pr3+ co-doped LiYF4 (Er,Pr:YLF) crystal were measured and analyzed. The Pr3+ co-doping was proved to effectively enhance the Er3+:I411/2→I413/2 mid-infrared transition at the 2.7 μm with 74.1% energy transfer efficiency from Er3+:I413/2 to Pr3+:F34. By using the Judd–Ofelt theory, the stimulated emission cross section was calculated to be 1.834×10-20cm2 at 2685 nm and 1.359×10-20cm2 at 2804.6 nm. Moreover, a diode-end-pumped Er,Pr:YLF laser operating at 2659 nm was realized for the first time, to the best of our knowledge. The maximum output power was determined to be 258 mW with a slope efficiency of 7.4%, and the corresponding beam quality factors Mx2=1.29 and My2=1.25. Our results suggest that Er,Pr:YLF should be a promising material for 2.7 μm laser generation.

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Na₅Lu₉F₃₂ single crystals used as a spectral up-converter to improve the power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells are prepared via an improved Bridgman approach. Green and red up-conversion (UC) emissions under the excitation of near-infrared (NIR) bands of 900–1000 nm and 1400–1600 nm can be observed. The effectiveness of the prepared materials as a spectral converter is verified by the enhancement of power conversion efficiency of perovskite solar cells. The sample with a UC layer is 15.5% more efficient in converting sunlight to electricity compared to the UC layer-free sample due to the absorption of sunlight in the NIR range. The results suggest the synthesized Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Na₅Lu₉F₃₂ single crystals are suitable for enhancing the performance of perovskite solar cells.

A 0.1 mol.% CoF2-doped Na5Lu9F32 single crystal with high quality in the size of ～ 10 mm×100 mm was grown by the Bridgman method. Three peaks located at 504, 544, and 688 nm and a broad band in the range of 1200–1600 nm centered at 1472 nm were observed in the absorption spectra. The absorption peak position suggests cobalt ions in the divalent state in the grown crystal. Moreover, the cobalt ions are confirmed to locate in the distorted cubic crystal structure. Upon excitation of 500 nm light, a sharp emission peak at 747 nm ascribed to the T22(H1)→4A2(F) transition was observed for the crystal. The Co2+-doped Na5Lu9F32 crystal shows a potentially promising material for the application of a passively Q-switched laser operating in the near-infrared range.

A Ce3+ ion-doped α-NaYF4 single crystal of high quality is grown successfully by an improved flux Bridgman method under the conditions of taking the chemical raw composition of NaF:KF:YF3:CeF3 in the molar ratio of 30∶18∶48∶4, where the KF is shown to be an effective assistant flux. The x ray diffraction, absorption spectra, excitation spectra, and emission spectra of the Ce3+-doped α-NaYF4 single crystal are measured to investigate the phase and optical properties of the single crystals. The absorption spectrum of the Ce3+:α-NaYF4 shows a strong band that peaks at the wavelength of 300 nm. The emission spectrum of the Ce3+:α-NaYF4 emits an intense ultraviolet (UV) band at the wavelength of 332 nm under the excitation of 300 nm light. Two separated luminous bands of 330 and 350 nm, which correspond to the transitions 5d→F5/22 and 5<