Green and red up-conversion emissions and thermometric application of Er^3＋-doped silicate glass

The green and red up-conversion emissions centred at about 534, 549 and 663 nm of wavelength, corresponding respectively to the ^2H11/2 → ^4I15/2, ^4S3/2 → ^4I15/2 and ^4F9/2 → ^4I15/2 transitions of Er^3＋ ions, have been observed for the Er^3＋-doped silicate glass excited by a 978 nm semiconductor laser beam. Excitation power dependent behaviour of the up-conversion emission intensity indicates that a two-photon absorption up-conversion process is responsible for the green and red up-conversion emissions. The temperature dependence of the green up-conversion emissions is also studied in a temperature range of 296-673 K, which shows that Er^3＋-doped silicate glass can be used as a sensor in high-temperature measurement.     

Up-conversion emissions of Er~(3+)-Yb~(3+) codoped Al_2O_3 nanoparticles by the arc discharge synthesis method

The Er3+-Yb3+ codoped Al2O3 nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 50 nm have been synthesized by an arc discharge synthesis method. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 526, 547 and 677 nm, corresponding respectively to the 2H11/2→4I15/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4 F9/2→4I15/2 transitions of Er3+, were detected by a 978-nm semiconductor laser diode excitation. The Annealing has evident effect on the up-conversion emissions of the samples: The red up-conversion emission is notic...     

Intense up-conversion emissions of Yb3+/Dy3+ co-doped Al2O3 nanopowders prepared by non-aqueous sol—gel method

Yb³⁺/Dy³⁺ co-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol-gel method and their up- conversion photoluminescence spectra are measured under excitation by 980-nm semiconductor laser. The results show that there are comparatively abundant spectra of up-conversion emissions centered at 378, 408, 527 and 543, and 663 nm, corresponding to ⁴G_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2, ⁴G_9/2 → ⁶H_11/2, ⁴I_15/2 → ⁶H_13/2, and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_11/2 transitions of Dy³⁺, respectively. Two-photon and three-photon processes are involved in ultraviolet, violet, green, and red up-conversion emissions. The energy transition between Yb³⁺ and Dy³⁺ is discussed.     

Red Up-Conversion Luminescence Process in Oxyfluoride Glass Ceramics Doped with Er^3＋／Yb^3＋

The phonon-assisted quantum cutting (PQC) model is presumed to clarify the red up-conversion luminescence process in Er^3 /yb^3 co-doped glass ceramics by the excitation and emission spectra. The red up-conversion luminescence of Er^3 ions mainly comes from three-photon absorption by the PQC process when the rare earth ions are doped in the g/ass ceramics and excited by 98Ohm pumped-laser. Er^3 ions absorb three-photons and relax to the ^4G11/2 state and then emit red up-conversion luminescence by the PQC process. The factor coefficient for the relation of pump-laser power and up-conversion intensity (P-I) is found by the analysis of excitation spectra of the red luminescence, which plays a major role to understand the true red up-conversion luminescence process. The new P-I relation is explained by the model of PQC.     

Structural and Upconversion Fluorescence Properties of Er^3＋／Yb^3＋-Codoped Lead-Free Germanium-Bismuth Glass

We study the structural and infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence properties of Er^3 /yb^3 -codoped leadfree germanium-bismuth glass. The structure of lead-free germanium-bismuth-lanthanum glass is investigated by peak-deconvolution of F~aman spectroscopy. Intense green and red emissions centred at 525, 546, and 657nm,corresponding to the transitions ^2H11/2 → 4I15/2, ^4S3/2 → 4I15/2, and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2, respectively, are observed at room temperature. The quadratic dependence of the 525, 546, and 657nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs under 975nm excitation.     

Intense frequency upconversion fluorescence of Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+) co-doped lithium-strontium-lead-bismuth glasses

Infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped lithium-strontium-lead-bismuth (LSPB) glasses for developing potential upconversion lasers has been studied under 975-nm excitation. Based on the results of energy transfer efficiency and upconversion spectra, the optimal Yb3+-Er3+ concentration ratio is found to be 5:1. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546, and 657 nm, corresponding to the transitions 2H11/2→4 I15/2, 4S3/2→4 I15/2, and 4F9/2→4 I15/2, respectively, were observed. The quadratic dependence of the 525-, 546-, and 657-nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs under 975-nm excitation. The high-populated 4I11/2 level is supposed to serve as the intermediate state responsible for the upconversion processes. The intense upconversion luminescence of Er3+ /Yb3+ co-doped LSPB glasses may be a potentially useful material for developing upconversion optical devices.     

Up-conversion photoluminescence characteristics of Yb3+:Er3+:Tm3+ co-doped borosilicate glasses

Yb3+:Er3+:Tm3+ co-doped borosilicate glasses are prepared.Their strong up-conversion photoluminescence spectra in a range from ultra-violet to near-infrared,which are excited by a 978-nm laser diode,are measured,and the mechanisms of energy transfer among Yb3+,Er3+ and Tm3+ ions are discussed.The results show that there is an unexpected wavelength at 900-nm emission from Yb3+ Stark splitting levels to pump Tm3+ ions and there exists an optimum pump power.The concentration of the Tm3+ dopant gives rise to a prominent effect on the intensity of visible and near-infrared emissions for the Yb3+:Er3+:Tm3+ co-doped borosilicate glasses.     

Tm~(3+) and Nd~(3+) singly doped LiYF_4 single crystals with 3-5 μm mid-infrared luminescence

Mid-infrared(MIR) emissions of 2.4 and 3.5 μm from Tm3+:LiYF4 single crystals attributed to3H4 →3H5 and3H5 →3F4 transitions as well as MIR emissions of 4.2,4.3,and 4.5 μm from Nd3+:LiYF4 lasers attributed to4I15/2 →4I13/2,4I13/2 →4I11/2,and4I11/2 →4I9/2 transitions,respectively,are observed.LiYF4 single crystals possess high transmittance of over 85% in the 2.5-6 μm range.The large emission crosssections of Tm-doped crystals at 2.4 μm(1.9×10-20cm2) and Nd-doped crystals at 4.2 μm(0.84×10-20 cm2) 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.     

Strong upconversion luminescence in Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+)-doped halide modified tellurite glass

Upconversion luminescence of Er3+/Yb3+-doped halide tellurite glass is investigated experimentally upon 976-nm excitation. Three intense emissions centered at 525, 545 and 655 nm owing to the transitions 2H11/2→4I15/2,4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F9/2→4I15/2, respectively, are observed when pumping power is as low as 20 mW. The upconversion mechanisms and power dependent intensities are discussed. The high-populated 4I11/2 level is supposed to serve as the intermediate state responsible for the upconversion processes.     

Spectral investigation of Sm3＋/yb3＋co-doped sodium tellurite glass

YAG-Ce,Nd,and Yb phosphors with a triple-doped system are prepared by conventional solid-state reaction method.The fluorescence emission and excitation spectra are measured and analyzed.The influences of Yb3+ doping concentration on the emission of Yb3+ and Nd3+ in YAG-Ce,Nd,and Yb are studied.The fluorescence decay spectra,lifetime,and energy transfer efficiency of Ce3+ in different host materials of YAG-Ce and Yb,and YAG-Ce,Nd,and Yb are also compared.Furthermore,the trends of fluorescence decay spectra and the lifetimes of Nd3+ and Yb 3+ in YAG-Ce,Nd,and Yb with the increase of Yb3+ concentration are discussed.Results indicate that YAG-Ce,Nd,and Yb are good candidates for downconverting phosphor,with energy transfer efficiency reaching as high as 82.8%.     

Intense frequency upconversion fluorescence of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped lithium-strontium-lead-bismuth glasses

Infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped lithium-strontium-lead-bismuth (LSPB) glasses for developing potential upconversion lasers has been studied under 975-nm excitation.Based on the results of energy transfer efficiency and upconversion spectra, the optimal Yb3+-Er3+ concentration ratio is found to be 5∶1. Intense green and red emissions centered at 525, 546, and 657 nm,corresponding to the transitions 2H11/2→4I15/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2, and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2, respectively, were observed. The quadratic dependence of the 525-, 546-, and 657-nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs under 975-nm excitation. The high-populated 4I11/2 level is supposed to serve as the intermediate state responsible for the upconversion processes. The intense upconversion luminescence of Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped LSPB glasses may be a potentially useful material for developing upconversion optical devices.     

Laser-diode excited intense upconversion luminescence of Er^3＋ in bismuth-lead-germanate glasses

We have investigated infrared-to-visible upconversion luminescence of Er^3＋ in bismuth-lead-germanate glasses. The UV cutoff wavelength is shortened while its lifetime is increased almost linearly, with PbF2 substituting for PbO in the bismuth-lead germanate glasses. Three emissions centred at around 529, 545 and 657 nm are clearly observed, which are identified as originating from the ^2H11/2→^4 I15/2,^4S3/2→^4 I15/2 and ^4 F9/2 →^4 I15/2 transitions, respectively. It is noted that all the upconversion emission intensities increase with PbF2 concentration increasing. The ratio between the intensities of red and green emissions increases with the increasing of PbF2 content. Energy transfer processes and nonradiative phonon-assisted decays account for the populations of the ^2 H11/2,^4 S3/2 and ^4F 9/2 levels. The quadratic dependence of fluorescence on excitation laser power confirms a two-photon process to contribute to the upconversion emissions.     

Upconversion luminescence of Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋ codoped oxyfluoride glasses

Novel oxyfluoride glasses are developed with the composition of 30SiO2-15Al2O3-28PbF2-22CdF2-0.1TmF3 - xYbF3 - （4.9 - x） AlF3（x=0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0） in tool fraction, Furthermore, the upconversion luminescence characteristics under a 970nm excitation are investigated. Intense blue, red and near infrared luminescences peaked at 453nm, 476nm, 647nm and 789nm, which correspond to the transitions of Tm^3＋： ^1D2 →^3F4, ^1G4 →^3H6, ^1G4 →^3F4, and ^3H4 →^3H6, respectively, are observed. Due to the sensitization of Yb^3＋ ions, all the upconversion luminescence intensities are enhanced considerably with Yb^3＋ concentration increasing. The upconversion mechanisms are discussed based on the energy matching rule and quadratic dependence on excitation power. The results indicate that the dominant mechanism is the excited state absorption for those upconversion emissions.     

Blue Upconversion Luminescence in Tm^3＋／Yb^3＋-Codoped Lead Chloride Tellurite Glass

The upconversion properties of Tm^3 /Yb3 -codoped lead chloride tellurite glass under 980hm excitation were investigated. The intense blue (476nm) emission and weak red (649 nm) emission corresponding to the ^1G4→4 ^3H6 and ^1G4→^3H4 transitions of Tm^3 ions, respectively, were simultaneously observed at room temperature. The dependence of upconversion intensities on excitation power and the possible upconversion mechanisms are evaluated. The intense blue upconversion luminescence of Tm^3 /Yb^3 -codoped lead chloride tellurite glass can be used as potential host material for the development of blue upconversion optical devices.     

Near-white light-emitting Dy~(3+)-doped transparent glass ceramics containing Ba_2LaF_7 nanocrystals

Glass ceramics Ba2 La F7:x Dy3tare obtained through the conventional melt-quenching technique, and their luminescent properties are investigated. Under 350 nm excitation, the emission spectra consists of a strong blueyellow band as well as a weak red emission centered at 660 nm, which are attributed to the4F9∕2→6H15∕2,4F9∕2→6H13∕2and4F9∕2→6H11∕2transitions of the Dy3tion, respectively. The corresponding Commission Internationale de L'Eclairage(CIE) chromaticity coordinate for a sample of 2 mol.% Dy2O3 after being heat-treated at 690°C is(0.313, 0.328). It is concluded that the formed materials may have the possibility of applications for white light-emitting diodes(LEDs).     

Upconversion Luminescence Dynamics in Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ Codoped Nanocrystalline Yttria

The upconversion luminescence and dynamics in Er^3＋ /Yb^3＋ codoped nanocrystalline yttria （7-65 nm） are studied under 980-nm pulsed laser excitation, It is found that the red emission of ^4F9/2-^4I15/2 and the green emission of ^2H11/2/^4S3/2 in nanoparticles with lower concentration of Yb^3＋ result from a two-photon excitation, In nanocrystals with higher Yb^3＋ concentration, the red emissions from a two-photon excitation, while the green emissions from a three-photon excitation, The luminescence dynamics indicates that as the particle size decreases, both the rise and the decay time constants become shorter, As the size decreases to several nanometres, the rise process nearly disappears, suggesting that the upconversion luminescence originates mainly from self-excitation of Er^3＋, instead of the energy transfer of Yb^3＋→ Er^3＋.     

Near-infrared downconversion in Eu2＋ and Pr3＋ co-doped KSrPO4 phosphor

A novel near-infrared (NIR) downconversion (DC) phosphor KSrPO4 :Eu2+ , Pr3+ is synthesized by the conventional high temperature solid-state reaction. The Eu2+ acts as an efficient sensitizer for Pr3+ in the KSrPO4 host. With broad-band near-ultraviolet light excitation induced by the 4f→5d transition of Eu2+ , the characteristic NIR emission of Pr3+ , peaking at 974 nm and 1019 nm due to 3P0 → 1G4 and 1G4 → 3H4 transitions, is generated as a result of the energy transfer from Eu2+ to Pr3+ . The luminescence spectra in both the visible and the NIR regions and the decay lifetime curves of Eu2+ prove the energy transfer from Eu2+ to Pr3+ . This Eu2+ and Pr3+ co-doped KSrPO4 phosphor may be a promising candidate to modify the spectral mismatch behavior of crystalline solar cells and sunlight.     

UV-Blue Upconverted Emission from Nd^3＋-Doped InF3-Based Heavy-Metal Fluoride Glasses for Blue Upconversion Fibre Laser

We report spectral properties and thermal stability of Nd^3 -doped InF3-based heavy-metal fluoride glasses. Fluoroindate glasses in the chemical compositions (in mol％) of (38-x)InF3-16BaF2-20ZnF2-20SrF2-3GdF3-1GaF3-2NaF-xNdF3 (x = 0.1, 0.5, 1, 2, 3) have been prepared under a controlled atmosphere in a dry box. Strong UVblue upconversion emission from a green excitation wavelength has been observed and the involved mechanisms have been explained. Near-infrared emission occurs simultaneously upon excitation of the UV-blue upconversion emissions with a cw Ar^ laser. The upconversion spectra have revealed four dominant emissions at 354, 380, 412 and 449nm, which belong to the transitions of ^4D3/2 → ^4I9/2, 4^D3/2 → ^4I11/2 and ^2P3/2 → ^4I9/2, ^4D3/2 → ^4I13/2 and ^2P3/2 → ^4I11/2, ^4D3/2 → ^4I15/2 and ^2P3/2 → ^4I13/2, respectively.     

High Efficiency Infrared to Visible Upconversion in Er3＋／yb3＋—Doped Lead Halide Tellurite Glass

Strong upconversion luminescence of Er3 /Yb3 -doped lead halide tellurite glass under 976nm excitation is demonstrated. Three emission bands centred at 525 nm, 545 nm, and 655 nm resulting from the transitionsfrom the excited states 2H11/2, 4S3/2, and 4F9/2 to the ground state 4I15/2, respectively, are observed evenat 60mW pumping power. The power dependent intensity and the upconversion mechanisms responsible forthe luminescence are evaluated and discussed. The obtained results might provide useful information for thedevelopments of upconversion lasers.     

Spectroscopic investigation of a new crystal： Nd^3＋,Yb^3＋：YVO4

The absorption and emission spectra of the YVO4 single crystal co-doped with 1 at.% Nd^3＋ and 1 at.% Yb^3＋ are investigated. The efficient Nd^3＋ → Yb^3＋ energy transfer and the back transfer （Yb^3＋ → Nd^3＋） are observed at room temperature. The fluorescence lifetime of the 4F3/2 level of Nd^3＋ in Nd,Yb：YVO4 is measured under 808 nm laser light excitation. The efficiency of Nd^3＋ → Yb^3＋ energy transfer in YVO4 is determined to be about 34%.