Single crystal growth and spectroscopic properties of KZnF3:Eu3+

Single crystal of KZnF3 : Eu3+ has been grown by means of Bridgman-Stockbarger technique in Ar atmosphere, The emission and excitation spectra of europium ion were measured, The results show that a small amount of Eu2+ exists in the crystal, The existence of Eu2+ ions was also confirmed by ESR data, The valence change of Eu ions during the crystal growth is due to unequivalent substitution of Eu3+ ions for the lattice ions. The sites possibly occupied by Eu ions in this crystal were also discussed.