Synthesis and luminescence properties of Gd6MoO12:Yb3+, Er3+ phosphor with enhanced photoluminescence by Li+ doping

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Gd₆MoO₁₂ and Yb³⁺/Er³⁺/Li⁺ tri-doped Gd₆MoO₁₂ phosphors were prepared by adjusting the annealing temperature via the high temperature solid-state method. Under the excitation of 980 nm semiconductor, the upconversion luminescence properties were investigated and discussed. In the experimental process, we get the optimum Yb³⁺ concentration and the concentration quench effect will happen while the concentration extends the given region. According to the Yb³⁺ concentration quenching effects, the critical distance between Yb³⁺ ions had been calculated. The measured UC luminescence exhibited a strong red emission near 660 nm and green emission at 530 nm and 550 nm, which are due to the transitions of Er³⁺(⁴F_9/2, ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2) → Er³⁺(⁴I_15/2). Then the effect of excitation power density in different regions on the upconversion mechanisms was investigated and the calculated results demonstrate that the green and red upconversion is a two-photon process. A possible mechanism was discussed. After Li⁺ ions mixing, the upconversion emission enhanced largely, and the optimum Li⁺ concentration was obtained while fixed the Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ on the above optimum concentration. This enhancement owns to the decrease of the local symmetry around Er³⁺ after Li⁺ ions doping into the system. This result indicates that Li⁺ is a promising candidate for improving luminescence in some case.     

Variation in luminescence behavior of Yb3+ doped GdAlO3 phosphor with gradual increase in Yb3+ concentration

The present paper reports the combustion synthesis of Yb³⁺ doped GdAlO₃ phosphors. The structural characterization and luminescence spectra of Yb³⁺ doped GdAlO₃ phosphors have been discussed. The effects of variable concentration of Yb³⁺ on Photoluminescence (PL) behavior were studied. The structural characterization was done by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscope technique (TEM). The good connectivity with grains and the semi-sphere line structure was found by TEM. The functional group analysis was carried out by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques. The prepared phosphor gives emission spectra in visible as well as NIR region. Both emissions were studied as a function of Yb³⁺ concentration. The emission intensity variation with Yb³⁺ ion concentration for visible and NIR region were discussed separately. The NIR emission luminescence of GdAlO₃:Yb³⁺ phosphor luminescence continuously increases with increasing Yb³⁺ ion concentration.     

Upconversion luminescence in Tm3+/Yb3+co-doped lead tungstate tellurite glasses

This work reports the upconversion luminescence properties of Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ ions in lead tungstate tellurite (LTT) glasses. Judd–Oflet intensity parameters have been obtained from the absorption band intensities of Tm³⁺ singly-doped and Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped LTT glasses. The spontaneous emission probabilities, radiative lifetimes and branching ratios for ¹G₄ and ³H₄ emission levels of Tm³⁺ have been determined. Upconversion luminescence has been observed by exciting the samples at 980 nm (Yb³⁺:²F_7/2→²F_5/2) at room temperature. Four upconversion emission bands corresponding to the ¹G₄→³H₆ (477 nm), ¹G₄→³F₄ (651 nm), ¹G₄→³H₅ (702 nm) and ³H₄→³H₆ (810 nm) transitions have been identified. The relative variation in the intensities of upconversion bands, the different channels responsible for upconversion spectra and the effect of Yb³⁺ ions concentration on the upconversion luminescence of Tm³⁺ ions have also been discussed.     

Temporal dynamics of upconversion luminescence in Er3+, Yb3+ co-doped crystalline KY(WO4)2 thin films

Crystalline Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ singly and doubly doped KY(WO₄)₂ thin films were grown by low-temperature liquid-phase epitaxy. Absorption, luminescence, excitation and temporal evolution measurements were carried out for both Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ transitions from 10 K to room temperature. Green Er³⁺ upconversion luminescence was observed after Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ excitation. The mechanisms responsible for the upconversion phenomena detected in each case were identified.     

Photoluminescence properties and pump-saturation effect of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Y2Ti2O7 nanocrystals

The Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ phosphors were synthesized by the sol–gel method. XRD, TEM, and photoluminescence spectra of samples were measured and studied. The results demonstrate that the Y₂Ti₂O₇ would transform from the amorphous to nanocrystalline at about 750 °C. The mechanism of both upconversion and near infrared (NIR) photoluminescence and their changes with annealing temperature were analyzed. What is more, the pump-saturation effect of NIR emission and the anomalous slopes of the fitted straight line in the double-logarithmic plots for upconversion emissions were found in the nanocrystalline samples, which can be ascribed to domination of upconversion over linear decay for the ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴I_13/2 state and the saturation of ⁴I_13/2 state in Er³⁺ ions largely owing to the energy back-transfer process. They are induced by high pump power and Yb³⁺ ions concentration.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and the enhanced blue upconversion luminescence of NaYF4:Nd3+,Tm3+,Yb3+

Nd³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Yb³⁺ co-doped NaYF₄ upconversion (UC) material was synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The structure of the sample was characterized by the X-ray diffraction, and its UC luminescence properties were investigated in detail. Under the 980 nm semiconductor laser excitation, its UC spectra exhibited distinct emission peaks at 451 nm, 475 nm and 646 nm respectively. On the basis of the comparison of UC spectra between NaYF₄:Nd³⁺,Tm³⁺,Yb³⁺ and NaYF₄:Tm³⁺,Yb³⁺, it was indicated that the existence of Nd³⁺ ion enhanced the blue emission intensity. The law of luminescence intensity versus pump power proved that the blue emission at 475 nm, and the red emission at 646 nm were the two-photon processes, while the blue emission at 451 nm was a three-photon process.     

Infrared to visible upconversion luminescence in Er3+/Yb3+ doped titanate glass prepared by containerless processing

Er³⁺ doped TiO₂–La₂O₃ glasses modified by ZrO₂ have been successfully fabricated by the containerless method with incorporated Yb³⁺ ions as sensitizers. Under the excitation of 980 and 808 nm diode lasers, visible emissions centered at 534, 554 and 674 nm are observed, which are assigned to the Er³⁺ transitions of ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2, respectively. The emission signals are so strong that they can be observed by naked eyes even at pumping power as low as 20 mW. Measurements of pump-power dependent intensity and time-resolved decay behavior of upconversion luminescence show that two-photon excited state absorption (ESA) and energy transfer (ET) between rare earth ions are the predominant mechanisms for upconversion emissions. Besides, the intensity of upconversion luminescence has been enhanced by increasing the concentration of ZrO₂ in these rare earth doped bulk titanate glasses.     

Color tunable emission from (GdxY1−x)2O3: Er3+, Yb3+ phosphor prepared by combustion method

The (Gd_xY_1?x)₂O₃: Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ [x=0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 0.9, 1.0] phosphor samples with 0.5 mol% concentration of Er³⁺ and 3.0 mol% of Yb³⁺, have been prepared using combustion route. The effect of variation of composition on the morphology, crystallinity and photoluminescence characteristics of the material has been investigated. The samples were post-heated at a temperature 1200 °C, for 5 h. We find systematic color tunability from red to green with an increase of Gd₂O₃ content in Y₂O₃ lattice. Further, the post-heated samples show an enhancement of fluorescence intensity for more than fifteen times. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), photoluminescence measurement and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques in order to find out the structural changes in host lattice. An increase in crystallite size has been marked with increasing Gd content while FTIR analysis explains the reason of variation in the fluorescence of rare earth ions in different host matrices.     

The spectroscopic properties of Yb3+ doped α-BBO crystal

2.0 mol% (relative to Ba²⁺) Yb³⁺ doped α-BaB₂O₄ (α-BBO) crystal was obtained by the Czochralski method. The doped crystal structure was determined by means of an X-ray diffraction analysis. The absorption, near-infrared (NIR) luminescence spectra and fluorescence decay curve of Yb³⁺ doped α-BBO crystal were investigated. NIR emission under 940 nm and 980 nm LDs (laser diodes) excitation was observed in the Yb doped α-BBO crystal.     

Increase of the blue upconversion emission in YAG:Tm3+ nanopowders by codoping with Yb3+ ions

The YAG nanopowders were prepared by a co-precipitation method using nitrate and ammonium hydrogen carbonate as raw materials. To obtain homogenous precipitate, reverse-strike (adding salt solutions to the precipitant solution) technique was adopted. Therefore, single (Tm³⁺) and codoped (Tm³⁺–Yb³⁺) YAG nanopowders with a size between 40–90 nm have been obtained.Blue upconversion emission at around 480 nm has been found in YAG: Tm³⁺ nanopowders under excitation to the ³H₄ level of Tm³⁺ at around 800 nm. However, this upconversion emission in nanopowders codoped with Tm³⁺–Yb³⁺ ions is increased by a factor of about 10. The analysis of the temporal evolution of the involved levels and the dependence of the upconversion intensity on the pump power at 800 nm allowed to distinguish the upconversion mechanism. In YAG: Tm³⁺ nanopowders the upconversion mechanism is due to excited state absorption processes. However, in the codoped samples, Yb³⁺ ions acts as the sensitizers; in consequence, the blue upconversion is strongly increased.     

Infrared-to-visible up-conversion luminescence and energy transfer of RE3+/Yb3+(RE = Ho,Tm) co-doped SrIn2O4

Near-infrared excited up-conversion phosphors of RE³⁺/Yb³⁺(RE = Ho, Tm) co-doped SrIn₂O₄ were synthesized by a solid-state reaction method. X-ray diffraction analysis revealed the phase composition of those samples, and the up-conversion spectroscopic properties were studied in terms of up-conversion emission spectra. Under 980 nm near-infrared laser excitation, strong green emission with the peak at 546 nm was observed in SrIn₂O₄: Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺, which can be assigned to the characteristic ⁵S₂(⁵F₄) → ⁵I₈ transition of Ho³⁺. Furthermore, SrIn₂O₄: Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ showed bright blue emission with the peak at 486 nm, which is associated with the ¹G₄ → ³H₆ transition of Tm³⁺. The UC power studies indicated that the luminescence of SrIn₂O₄: Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ and SrIn₂O₄: Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ are attributed to two-photon and three-photon process, respectively. The possible UC luminescence mechanism and energy transfer in SrIn₂O₄: RE³⁺/Yb³⁺ were discussed.     

Upconversion white-light emission in Ho3+/Yb3+/Tm3+ codoped LiNbO3 polycrystals

Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ codoped LiNbO₃ polycrystals exhibiting upconversion white-light under 980 nm excitation have been successfully fabricated by the high temperature solid-state reaction method. CIE coordinate of the Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺/LiNbO₃ polycrystal is (0.34, 0.35), which is very close to the standard equal energy white-light illuminate (0.33, 0.33). Efficient green, red, and blue upconversion emissions have been observed. The luminescent decay dynamics are studied, and rate equations for the blue, green, and red emissions are set up to analyze the upconversion luminescence mechanism. The present results demonstrate that the competition between the linear decay and the upconversion process for the depletion of the intermediate excited states plays an important role in upconversion mechanism. The LiNbO₃ with upconversion white-light will be a promising luminous material.     

Spectral downshifting from blue to near infer red region in Ce3+-Nd3+ co-doped YAG phosphor

The YAG phosphors co-doped with Ce³⁺-Nd³⁺ ions by varying concentration of Nd³⁺ ion from 1 mol% to 15 mol% were successfully synthesized by conventional solid state reaction method. The phosphors were characterized by powder X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and surface morphology was studied by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied in near infra red (NIR) and ultra violet visible (UV–VIS) region. The synthesized phosphors can convert a blue region photon (453 nm) into photons of NIR region (1063 nm). The energy transfer (ET) process was studied by time decay curve and PL spectra. The theoretical value of energy transfer efficiency (ETE) was calculated from time decay luminescence measurement and the maximum efficiency approached up to 82.23%. Hence this phosphor could be prime candidate as a downshifting (DS) luminescent convertor (phosphor) in front of crystalline silicon solar cell (c-Si) panels to reduce thermalization loss in the solar cells.     

Blue upconversion luminescence in 12 CaO·7 Al2O3:Tm3 +/Yb3 + polycrystals

The effect of Yb^3 + concentration on the fluorescence of 12 CaO·7 Al₂O₃:Tm^3 +/Yb^3 + polycrystals is investigated. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser, the strong blue (477 nm) emission band is observed and attributed to ¹G₄ → ³H₆ of Tm^3 +. The ratio of blue to red emission increases with the increasing of Yb^3 + and remains constant at 10 mol% Yb^3 +. The pump dependence and upconversion mechanisms show that the two-photon cooperative upconversion process is responsible for the enhancement of the blue upconversion emission. The Commission Internationale de l'eclairage chromaticity coordinates (x, y) illustrate that the 12 CaO·7 Al₂O₃:1 mol% Tm^3 +/10 mol% Yb^3 + can emit high-purity blue light.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Er3+-doped Lu3Ga5O12 nanocrystals

The concentration-dependent luminescence properties of sol–gel-derived nanocrystalline Lu_3(1?x)Er_3xGa₅O₁₂ powders (where x=0.01, 0.05 and 0.1) have been studied. Laser-excited luminescence spectra, emission decays and upconversion luminescence of Er³⁺-doped Lu₃Ga₅O₁₂ nanocrystalline samples have been measured. The decay curve of the (²H_11/2,⁴S_3/2) emission exhibits a non-exponential behavior presumably due to cross-relaxation process. Moreover, near-infrared to visible upconversion luminescence has been observed in the green region for 1.0 mol% Er³⁺ ions in Lu₃Ga₅O₁₂ nanocrystals upon 815 nm excitation. The power dependence of the anti-Stokes luminescence suggests that upconversion is probably achieved through the sequential absorption of two photons. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on the preparation and optical properties of Er³⁺-doped Lu₃Ga₅O₁₂ in the form of nanocrystalline powders.     

Fabrication and luminescence behavior of phosphate glass ceramics co-doped with Er3+ and Yb3+

Transparent phosphate glass ceramics co-doped with Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ in the system P₂O₅Li₂OCaF₂TiO₂ were successfully synthesized by melt-quenching and subsequent heating. Formation of the nanocrystals was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction. Judd–Ofelt analyses of Er³⁺ ions in the precursor glasses and glass ceramics were performed to evaluate the intensity parameters Ω_2,4,6. Under 975 nm excitation, intense upconversion (UC) and infrared emission (1545 nm) were observed in the glass ceramics by efficient energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺. The luminescence processes were explained and the emission cross section was calculated by Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg (F–L) formula. The results confirm the potential applications of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped glass ceramics as laser and fiber amplifier media.     

Synthesis,characterization and studies of radiative properties on Eu3+-doped ZnAl2O4

Eu³⁺-doped ZnAl₂O₄ phosphors were successfully synthesized in air atmosphere at 900 °C. The phosphors were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The average particle size of the system as determined from SEM was found to be 100–150 nm (for samples annealed at 900 °C). PL spectra of the doped phosphors showed emission peaks corresponding to Eu³⁺ ions. Lifetime studies revealed Eu³⁺ ions to be in two different sites. The asymmetric ratio (I₆₁₆/I₅₉₂) was observed to be about 3.75. This suggested that Eu³⁺ ion entered the host mainly substituting Al³⁺ site distorting the local environment and is partly located on surface of the phosphors. A prominent glow peak at 430 K was observed in the TSL of γ-irradiated Eu³⁺-doped ZnAl₂O₄ phosphors. Trap parameters for this peak have been determined and the probable mechanism for the glow peak is proposed. CIE chromaticity coordinates for the system were evaluated. It was observed that, the system could be employed as a potential red emitting phosphor. Commercial utility of the phosphor was investigated by comparing it with commercial red phosphor. The PL intensity of the as prepared phosphors was 63% of that of the commercial phosphor. Apart from this, various radiative properties such as the Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters, spontaneous emission probabilities, luminescence branching ratios, radiative lifetimes and quantum efficiency were evaluated for the system.     

Near-infrared quantum cutting in Yb3+ ion doped strontium vanadate

The materials Sr_3−x(VO₄)_2:xYb were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation method varying the concentration of Yb³⁺ ions from 0 to 0.06 mol. It was characterize by powder X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and surface morphology was studied by scanning electronic microscope (SEM). The photoluminescence (PL) properties were studied by spectrophotometers in near infra red (NIR) and ultra violet visible (UV–VIS) region. The Yb³⁺ ion doped tristrontium vanadate (Sr₃(VO₄)₂) phosphors that can convert a photon of UV region (349 nm) into photons of NIR region (978, 996 and 1026 nm). Hence this phosphor could be used as a quantum cutting (QC) luminescent convertor in front of crystalline silicon solar cell (c-Si) panels to reduce thermalization loss due to spectral mismatch of the solar cells. The theoretical value of quantum efficiency (QE) was calculated from steady time decay measurement and the maximum efficiency approached up to 144.43%. The Sr_(3−x) (VO₄)_2:xYb can be potentiality used for betterment of photovoltaic (PV) technology.     

Cooperative energy transfer and frequency upconversion in Yb3+-Tb 3+ and Nd 3+-Yb 3+-Tb 3+ codoped GdAl3(BO3)4 phosphors

Polycrystalline GdAl₃(BO₃)₄ phosphors codoped with Yb³⁺/Tb³⁺ and/or Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺/Tb³⁺ have been synthesized by combustion method. Upon excitation with a 980 nm laser diode, an intense green upconversion luminescence has been observed in GdAl₃(BO₃)₄:Yb,Tb phosphor. The quadratic dependence of the luminescence on the pump-laser power indicating a cooperative energy transfer process. Meanwhile, it is noticed that upon excitation with 808 nm laser diode, intense luminescence has clearly been detected in GdAl₃(BO₃)₄:Nd,Yb,Tb phosphor. The luminescence intensity exhibits also a quadratic dependence on incident pump-laser power. However, no green-emission has been observed in GdAl₃(BO₃)₄ phosphors codoped with Yb³⁺/Tb³⁺ or Nd³⁺/Tb³⁺ respectively upon excited at 808 nm laser diode. A proposed upconversion mechanism involving energy transfer from Nd³⁺ to Yb³⁺, and then a cooperative energy transfer process from two excited Yb³⁺ to Tb³⁺ has been presented.     

Optical temperature sensor through infrared excited blue upconversion emission in Tm3 +/Yb3 + codoped Y2O3

An analysis of the intense blue upconversion emission at 476 and 488 nm in Tm^3 +/Yb^3 + codoped Y₂O₃ under excitation power density of 86.7 W/cm² available from a diode laser emitting at 976 nm, has been undertaken. Fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) variation of temperature-sensitive blue upconversion emission at 476 and 488 nm in this material was recorded in the temperature range from 303 to 753 K. The maximum sensitivity derived from the FIR technique of the blue upconversion emission is approximately 0.0035 K^? 1. The results imply that Tm^3 +/Yb^3 + codoped Y₂O₃ is a potential candidate for the optical temperature sensor.