iS50 FT-IR from Thermo Scientific was used to collect infrared spectra
at 300 K of samples processed in KBr pellets. The room-temperature
emission spectra utilized excitation at 397, 340, and 300 nm. These
spectra were collected using a FLS1000 photoluminescence spectrometer
from Edinburgh Instruments. The same apparatus was used to collect
the excitation spectra. The 5D0 → 7F2 transition at 619 nm was monitored at room temperature
for the excitation spectra measurements. Emission spectra were also
recorded in response to the 266 nm excitation of a laser diode (CW)
at room temperature and detected using the Hamamatsu PMA-12 photonic
multichannel analyzer. The emission decay profiles were measured at
300 K using either a Ti:sapphire tunable laser or a Nd:YAG laser,
a Hamamatsu R928 photomultiplier, a Jobin-Yvon THR 1000 spectrophotometer,
and a digital LeCroy WaveSurfer oscilloscope. Excitation and emission
spectra were collected at low temperature (5 K) using a temperature-controlled,
continuous-flow liquid helium cryostat: Oxford Model CF 1204. Low
temperature excitation spectra were measured with a Dongwoo Optron
DM151i monochromator and a 150W ozone free lamp. The low temperature
emission spectra were measured using a Dongwoo Optron DM750 monochromator,
an Electro-Optical System INC PbS photodiode, or a Hamamatsu R928
photomultiplier.