Magnetic Dipole and Electric Quadrupole Transitions in the Trivalent Lanthanide Series: Calculated Emission Rates and Oscillator Strengths

TL;DR

This study uses advanced calculations to identify strong magnetic dipole emission lines in trivalent lanthanide ions, revealing many potential candidates for experimental exploration of magnetic light-matter interactions.

Contribution

The paper provides detailed calculations of energy levels and emission rates for all trivalent lanthanide ions, highlighting strong magnetic dipole transitions across visible and near-infrared spectra.

Findings

Identification of numerous strong magnetic dipole transitions

Prediction of emission lines suitable for experimental studies

Comprehensive calculation of energy levels and oscillator strengths

Abstract

Given growing interest in optical-frequency magnetic dipole transitions, we use intermediate coupling calculations to identify strong magnetic dipole emission lines that are well suited for experimental study. The energy levels for all trivalent lanthanide ions in the 4fn configuration are calculated using a detailed free ion Hamiltonian, including electrostatic and spin-orbit terms as well as two-body, three-body, spin-spin, spin-other-orbit, and electrostatically correlated spin-orbit interactions. These free ion energy levels and eigenstates are then used to calculate the oscillator strengths for all ground-state magnetic dipole absorption lines and the spontaneous emission rates for all magnetic dipole emission lines including transitions between excited states. A large number of strong magnetic dipole transitions are predicted throughout the visible and near-infrared spectrum, including many at longer wavelengths that would be ideal for experimental investigation of magnetic light-matter interactions with optical metamaterials and plasmonic antennas.