Recombination processes of rare earth bound excitons

The scenario for exciton binding by rara earth (RE) ions is described. The RE intra-shell emission can be induced by an energy transfer from RE bound excitons to th RE “core” states. Carrier binding can also deactivate the RE emission. Auger-type recombination channels are discussed based on the results of photoluminescence and optically detected cyclotron resonance (OCDR) studies of Yb InP and RE doped wide band gap II–VI compounds.