Judd–Ofelt analysis of spectroscopic properties of Sm3+ ions in K2YF5 crystal

► Detailed picture of the spectral characteristics of Sm3+ ions in K2YF5 crystal. ► The bonding of Sm3+ ions with the local host is ionic bonding. ► The coordination structure surrounding the RE ion has high symmetry. K2YF5 crystals doped Sm3+ ions were synthesized under hydrothermal condition. The absorption, luminescence spectra, and lifetimes of K2YF5:Sm3+ were measured at room temperature. The results were analyzed using Judd–Ofelt (JO) theory giving the values of three Ω2, Ω4, and Ω6 intensity parameters. Using these JO parameters as well as from the emission, various radiative parameters such as transition probabilities (AR), radiative lifetime (ιR), calculated branching ratios (βR), measured branching ratios (βmes), and stimulated emission cross-sections (σλp) have been calculated for 4G5/2 excited level.