Mid-infrared (MIR) emissions of 2.4 and 3.5 m from Tm3+:LiYF4 single crystals attributed to 3H4->3H5 and 3H5->3F4 transitions as well as MIR emissions of 4.2, 4.3, and 4.5 \mu m from Nd3+: LiYF4 lasers attributed to 4I15/2->4I13/2,4I13/2->4I11/2, and 4I11/2->4I9/2 transitions, respectively, are observed. LiYF4 single crystals possess high transmittance of over 85% in the 2.5-6 \mu m range. The large emission crosssections of Tm-doped crystals at 2.4 \mu m (1.9\times 10-20 cm2) and Nd-doped crystals at 4.2 \mu m (0.84\times 10-20cm2) as well as the high rare-earth doping concentrations, excellent optical transmission, and chemicalphysical properties of the resultant samples indicate that Nd3+ and Tm3+ singly doped crystals may be promising materials for application in MIR lasers.

A Dy3+-doped LiYF4 single crystal capable of generating white light by simultaneous blue and yellow light emission of phosphorescent centers is produced. Chromaticity coordinates and photoluminescence intensity vary with excitation wavelength. Under 350, 365, and 388 nm excitation, the crystal shows excellent white light emission. The most efficient wavelength for white light is 388 nm. The CIE coordinates are x=0.316 and y =0.321, and the color temperature (Tc) is 6 368 K. These results indicate that the studied crystal is a potential candidate for ultraviolet light-excited white light-emitting diodes.