Thermal annealing behavior of fluorescence of Pr3+ -doped lead tungstate single crystal

The effects of thermal annealing treatment on the spectroscopic properties of Pr3+-doped PbWO4 crystals were discussed in detail. The polarized absorption spectra, polarized fluorescence spectra, and fluorescence decay curves of main emission manifolds of the as-grown and annealed Pr3+-doped PbWO4 crystals were measured at room temperature and analyzed. Thermal annealing treatment can diminish most defect centers related to oxygen vacancies and thermal stress. The results demonstrate that thermal annealing treatment can exert a distinct influence on the spectroscopic properties of Pr3+: PbWO4 crystals as promising phosphors and laser materials.