Time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence spectroscopy of Nd3+ in molten LiCl-KCl eutectic

The characteristics of the laser-induced fluorescence of Nd3+ in LiCl-KCl eutectic in the wavelength region of 360-900 nm were investigated for information concerning the chemical speciation of Nd-chloride complexes. When pumped at either 355 or 532 nm, Nd3+ in molten salt emits visible and near-IR fluorescence. The fluorescence peaks at 750 nm (F-4(7/2) + S-4(3/2) -> I-4(9/2)) and 810 nm (F-4(5/2) + H-2(9/2) -> I-4(9/2)) were particularly prominent at temperatures above the melting point. The fluorescence decay of these transition lines showed a bi-exponential behaviour of the fluorescence lifetime. These results provide evidence that two different chemical species of Nd3+ coexist in this system. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.