Preparation and upconversion luminescence of three-dimensionally ordered macroporous ZrO2: Er3+, Yb3+

The three-dimensionally ordered macroporous (3DOM) ZrO2: Er(3+), Yb(3+) materials were successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method combined with a polystyrene latex sphere templating technique, and their morphologies, surface physicochemical properties, and upconversion photoluminescence (UC-PL) properties were studied. The results indicate that the materials exhibited both porosity and strong UC-PL under the excitation of a 978 nm diode laser. In comparison with the nonporous samples, the relative intensity of the red ((4)F(9/2)-(4)I(15/2)) to the green ((4)S(3/2)/(2)H(11/2)-(4)I(15/2)) emission decreased visibly because of the decreased nonradiative relaxation in the 3DOM materials. It was also observed that the relative intensity of the green emission to the red emission increased significantly with the increasing excitation power. An indirect three-photon populating process occurred for the green emission as the excitation power and Yb(3+) concentration was high enough.     

Strong blue emission from Pr3+ ions through energy transfer process from Nd3+ to Pr3+ via Yb3+ in tellurite glass

Energy transfer excited upconversion emission in Nd3+/Pr3+-codped tellurite glass have been studied on pumping with 800 nm wavelength. The upconversion emission bands from Pr3+ ion are observed at the 488, 524, 546, 612, 647, 672, 708 and 723 nm due to the (3P0 + 3P1)-->3H4, 3P1-->3H5, 3P0-->3H5, 3P0-->3H6, 3P0-->3F2, 3P1-->3F3, 3P0-->3F3 and 3P0-->3F4 transitions, respectively. The addition of ytterbium ions (Yb3+) on the upconversion emission intensity is also studied and result shows an eight times enhancement in the upconversion intensity at 488 nm from Pr3+ ions. The pump power and concentration dependence studies are also made. It is found that Yb3+ ions transfer its excitation energy to Nd3+ from which it goes to Pr3+. No direct transfer to Pr3+ is seen. This is verified by codoping Nd3+ and Pr3+ into the host.     

Study of luminescence properties of novel Er3+ single-doped and Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glasses

The novel Er(3+) single-doped and Er(3+)/Yb(3+) co-doped tellurite glasses were prepared. The effect of Yb(2)O(3) concentration on absorption spectra, emission spectra and upconversion spectra of glasses were measured and investigated. The emission intensity, fluorescence full width at half maximum (FWHM) and upconversion luminescence of Er(3+) go up with the increasing concentration of Yb(3+) ions. The maximum FWHM of (4)I(13/2) --> (4)I(15/2) transition of Er(3+) is approximate 77 nm for 1.41 x 10(21)ions/cm(3) concentration of Yb(3+)-doped glass. The visible upconversion emissions at about 532, 546 and 659 nm, corresponding to the (2)H(11/2) --> (4)I(15/2), (4)S(3/2) --> (4)I(15/2) and (4)F(9/2) --> (4)I(15/2) transitions of Er(3+), respectively, were simultaneously observed under the excitation at 970 nm. Subsequently, the possible upconversion mechanisms and important role of Yb(3+) on the green and red emissions were discussed and compared. The results demonstrate that this kind of tellurite glass may be a potentially useful material for developing potential amplifiers and upconversion optical devices.     

Optical characterization of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions doped cadmium lithium alumino fluoro boro tellurite glasses

This article reports on the development and spectral results of Eu(3+) and Tb(3+) ions doped cadmium lithium alumino fluoro boro tellurite (CLiAFBT) glasses in the following composition. 40TeO2-30B2O3-10CdO-10Li2O-10AlF3 (Hostglass) (40-x)TeO2-30B2O3-10CdO-10Li2O-10AlF3-xEu2O3 (40-x)TeO2-30B2O3-10CdO-10Li2O-10AlF3-xTb4O7 where x=0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.0, 1.25 mol%. Glass amorphous nature and thermal properties have been studied using the XRD and DSC profiles. From the emission spectra of Eu(3+):glasses, five emission transitions have been observed at 578 nm, 592 nm, 612 nm, 653 nm, 701 nm and are assigned to the transitions (5)D(0)→(7)F(0), (7)F(1,)(7)F(2), (7)F(3) and (7)F(4), respectively, with λ(exci)=392 nm ((7)F(0)→(5)L(6)). In case of Tb(3+):glasses, four emission transitions ((5)D(4)→(7)F(6,)(7)F(5), (7)F(4) and (7)F(3)) are observed at 488 nm, 543 nm, 584 nm and 614 nm, respectively, with λ(exci)=376 nm. Decay curves and energy level diagrams have been plotted to evaluate the life times and to analyze the emission mechanism.     

Facile synthesis and multicolor luminescent properties of uniform Lu2O3:Ln (Ln=Eu3+, Tb3+, Yb3+/Er3+, Yb3+/Tm3+, and Yb3+/Ho3+) nanospheres

Multicolor Lu(2)O(3):Ln (Ln=Eu(3+), Tb(3+), Yb(3+)/Er(3+), Yb(3+)/Tm(3+), and Yb(3+)/Ho(3+)) nanocrystals (NCs) with uniform spherical morphology were prepared through a facile urea-assisted homogeneous precipitation method followed by a subsequent calcination process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectrum (EDS), Fourier transformed infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis (TG-DTA), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were employed to characterize these samples. The XRD results reveal that the as-prepared nanospheres can be well indexed to cubic Lu(2)O(3) phase with high purity. The SEM images show the obtained Lu(2)O(3):Ln samples consist of regular nanospheres with the mean diameter of 95 nm. And the possible formation mechanism is also proposed. Upon ultraviolet (UV) excitation, Lu(2)O(3):Ln (Ln=Eu(3+) and Tb(3+)) NCs exhibit bright red (Eu(3+), (5)D(0)→(7)F(2)), and green (Tb(3+), (5)D(4)→(7)F(5)) down-conversion (DC) emissions. Under 980 nm NIR irradiation, Lu(2)O(3):Ln (Ln=Yb(3+)/Er(3+), Yb(3+)/Tm(3+), and Yb(3+)/Ho(3+)) NCs display the typical up-conversion (UC) emissions of green (Er(3+), (4)S(3/2),(2)H(11/2)→(4)I(15/2)), blue (Tm(3+), (1)G(4)→(3)H(6)) and yellow-green (Ho(3+), (5)F(4), (5)S(2)→(5)I(8)), respectively.     

Controllable synthesis and tunable luminescence properties of Y2(WO4)3:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Yb/Er, Yb/Tm and Yb/Ho) 3D hierarchical architectures

Yttrium tungstate precursors with novel 3D hierarchical architectures assembled from nanosheet building blocks were successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method with the assistance of sodium dodecyl benzenesulfonate (SDBS). After calcination, the precursors were easily converted to Y(2)(WO(4))(3) without an obvious change in morphology. The as-prepared precursors and Y(2)(WO(4))(3) were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra, respectively. The results reveal that the morphology and dimensions of the as-prepared precursors can be effectively tuned by altering the amounts of organic SDBS and the reaction time, and the possible formation mechanism was also proposed. Upon ultraviolet (UV) excitation, the emission of Y(2)(WO(4))(3):x mol% Eu(3+) microcrystals can be tuned from white to red, and the doping concentration of Eu(3+) has been optimized. Furthermore, the up-conversion (UC) luminescence properties as well as the emission mechanisms of Y(2)(WO(4))(3):Yb(3+)/Ln(3+) (Ln = Er, Tm, Ho) microcrystals were systematically investigated, which show green (Er(3+), (4)S(3/2), (2)H(11/2)→(4)I(15/2)), blue (Tm(3+), (1)G(4)→(3)H(6)) and yellow (Ho(3+), (5)S(2)→(5)I(8)) luminescence under 980 nm NIR excitation. Moreover, the doping concentration of the Yb(3+) has been optimized under a fixed concentration of Er(3+) for the UC emission of Y(2)(WO(4))(3):Yb(3+)/Er(3+).     

Cooperative energy transfer frequency upconversion in Tb3+/Yb3+-codoped oxyfluoride glasses

In this report, we investigate the cooperative energy transfer frequency upconversion in Tb3+/Yb3+-codoped SiO2-Al(2)O(3)-Na2O-ZnF(2) oxyfluoride glasses under 980 nm diode laser excitation. The influence of both Tb3+ and Yb3+ concentration on the emission bands were investigated. With a lower Tb3+ concentration, the emission bands around 381, 416 and 438 nm, and 489, 545, 587 and 623 nm associated with (5)D(3), (5)G(6)-->(7)F(J) (J=6, 5, 4) and (5)D(4)-->(7)F(J) (J=6, 5, 4, 3) transitions were observed. However, only (5)D(4)-->(7)F(J) (J=6, 5, 4, 3) transitions appear in a higher Tb3+ concentration. The integrated upconversion luminescence intensity was examined when the temperature of sample was varied from 40 to 450 K. The dependence of the upconversion emission intensity upon the excitation power was also examined, and the upconversion mechanisms were discussed.     

Strong visible up-conversion emission in Tb3+, Tm3+ and Tb3+-Tm3+ co-doped tellurite glasses sensitized by Yb3+

Up-conversion luminescence characteristics under 975 nm excitation have been investigated with Tb3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ triply doped tellurite glasses. Here, green (547 nm: (5)D(4)-->(7)F(4)) and red (660 nm: (5)D(4)-->(7)F(2)) up-conversion (UC) luminescence originating from Tb3+ is observed strongly, because of the quadratic dependences of emission intensities on the excitation power. Especially, the UC luminescence was intensified violently with the energy transfer from the Tm3+ ions involves in the Tb3+ excitation. To the Tb3+/Tm3+/Yb3+ triply doped glass system, a novel up-conversion mechanism is proposed as follows: the energy of (3)G(4) level (Tm3+) was transferred to (5)D(4) (Tb(3+)) and the 477-nm UC luminescence of Tm3+ was nearly quenched.     

Upconversion luminescence, intensity saturation effect, and thermal effect in Gd2O3:Er3,Yb3+ nanowires

In this paper, the upconversion luminescent properties of Gd2O3:Er3+,Yb3+ nanowires as a function of Yb concentration and excitation power were studied under 978-nm excitation. The results indicated that the relative intensity of the red emission (4F(9/2)-4I(15/2)) increased with increasing the Yb3+ concentration, while that of the green emission (4S(3/2)/2H(11/2)-4I(15/2)) decreased. As a function of excitation power in ln-ln plot, the green emission of 4S(3/2)-4I(15/2) yielded a slope of approximately 2, while the red emission of 4F(9/2)-4I(15/2) yielded a slope of approximately 1. Moreover, the slope decreased with increasing the Yb3+ concentration. This was well explained by the expanded theory of competition between linear decay and upconversion processes for the depletion of the intermediate excited states. As the excitation power density was high enough, the emission intensity of upconversion decreased due to thermal quenching. The thermal effect caused by the exposure of the 978-nm laser was studied according to the intensity ratio of 2H(11/2)-4I(15/2) to 4S(3/2)-4I(15/2). The practical sample temperature at the exposed spot as a function of excitation power and Yb3+ concentration was deduced. The result indicated that at the irradiated spot (0.5 x 0.5 mm2) the practical temperature considerably increased.     

Upconversion luminescence and mechanisms of Tm(3+)/Yb(3+)-codoped oxyhalide tellurite glasses

To obtain efficient blue upconversion laser glasses, upconversion luminescence and mechanisms of Tm(3+)/Yb(3+)-codoped oxyhalide tellurite glasses were investigated under 980 nm excitation. The results showed that upconversion blue and red emission intensities of Tm(3+) first increase, reach its maximum at Tm(2)O(3)%=0.1 mol %, and then decrease with increasing Tm(2)O(3) content. The effect of Tm(2)O(3) content on upconversion intensity is discussed, and possible effect mechanisms are evaluated. The investigated results were conducing to increase upconversion luminescence efficiency of Tm(3+).     

Study of upconversion fluorescence property of novel Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped tellurite glasses

Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped TeO2-B2O3-Nb2O5-ZnO (TBN) glasses were prepared. The absorption spectra and upconversion luminescence spectra of TBN glasses were measured and analyzed. The upconversion emission bands centered at 530, 546 and 658 nm were observed under the excitation at 975 nm, corresponding to the transitions of 2H11/2-->4I15/2, 4S3/2-->4I15/2 and 4F9/2-->4I15/2 respectively. The ratio of red emission to green emission increases with an increasing of Yb3+ ions concentration. According to the quadratic dependence on excitation power, the possible upconversion mechanisms and processes were discussed.     

Upconversion Properties of LiNbO_3 Single Crystals Co-doped with Ho and Yb

The IR-to-visible upconversion fluorescent crystals, Yb:Ho:LiNbO3, with a constant Ho3+ concentration (0.1 mol%) and different doping concentrations of Yb3+ (0.5, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 mol%) are synthesized by Czochralski method in air atmosphere. X-ray diffraction shows that the obtained crystal is a single phase of LiNbO3 and the rare-earth ions occupied the Li+ or Nb5+ sites instead of the interstitial sites. Under 980 nm excitation, green and red emission bands due to the Ho3+ (5S2, 5F4)/5I8 and Ho3+ 5F5/5I8 energy transitions are observed in these samples, respectively. Power dependence studies on these samples with different Yb3+ dopant concentrations indicate that the red and green emissions are based on a two-photon process. The intensities of the red and green upconversion fluorescence increase with Yb3+ ions of 0~2.0 mol% because of an increased Yb3+ sensitization, but decrease at higher concentrations owing to the back-energy transfer between the Yb3+ and Ho3+ ions.     

Upconversion and fluorescence spectral studies of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Bi2Q3-GeO2-Ga2Q3-Na2O glasses

The absorption spectra and upconversion fluorescence spectra of Er3+/Yb3+-codoped natrium-gallium-germanium-bismuth glasses are measured and investigated. The intense green (533 and 549 nm) and red (672 nm) emission bands were simultaneously observed at room temperature. The quadratic dependence of the green and red emission on excitation power indicates that the two-photon absorption processes occur. The influence of Ga2C3 on upconversion intensity is investigated. The intensity of green emissions increases slowly with increasing Ga2O3 content, while the intensity of red emission increases significantly. The possible upconversion mechanisms for these glasses have also been discussed. The maximum phonon energy of the glasses determined based on the infrared (IR) spectral analysis is as low as 740 cm-1. The studies indicate that Bi2O3-GeO2-Ga2O3-Na2O glasses may be potential materials for developing upconversion optical devices.     

Electrospinning synthesis and luminescence properties of one-dimensional La(9.33)(SiO4)6O2: Ln3+ (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) microfibers

One-dimensional La(9.33)(SiO(4))(6)O(2): Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) microfibers were fabricated by a simple and cost-effective electrospinning method. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), photoluminescence (PL) and low voltage cathodoluminescence (CL) as well as kinetic decay were used to characterize the resulting samples. SEM and TEM results indicated that the diameter of the microfibers annealed at 1000 °C for 3 h was 200-245 nm. The microfibers were further composed of fine and closely linked nanoparticles. La(9.33)(SiO(4))(6)O(2): Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) phosphors showed the characteristic emission of Ce(3+) (5d → 4f), Eu(3+) ((5)D(0)→(7)F(J)) and Tb(3+) ((5)D(3,4)→(7)F(J)) under ultraviolet excitation and low-voltage electron beams (3-5 kV) excitation. An energy transfer from Ce(3+) to Tb(3+) was observed in the La(9.33)(SiO(4))(6)O(2): Ce(3+), Tb(3+) phosphor under ultraviolet excitation and low-voltage electron beam excitation. Luminescence mechanisms were proposed to explain the observed phenomena. Blue, red and green emission can be realized in La(9.33)(SiO(4))(6)O(2): Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) microfibers by changing the doping ions. So the La(9.33)(SiO(4))(6)O(2): Ln(3+) (Ln = Ce, Eu, Tb) phosphors have potential applications in full-color field emission displays.     

Green and red light emission by upconversion from the near-IR in Yb(3+) doped CsMnBr3

Direct near-IR excitation of Yb(3+) 2F(7/2)-->(2)F(5/2) levels at 10126, 10138, and 10596 cm(-1) in CsMnBr3:0.5%Yb(3+) leads to three types of luminescence at cryogenic temperatures: near-IR Yb(3+) emission and green and red upconverted luminescence. The green luminescence around 20 000 cm(-1) is identified as cooperative Yb(3+) pair upconversion. The broad red upconversion luminescence band centered at 14 700 cm(-1) is ascribed to the 4T(1g)-->6A(1g) transition of Mn(2+). Pulsed measurements indicate a sequence of ground-state absorption and excited-state absorption steps for the red upconversion process. One- and two-color excitation experiments support this, and we conclude that the red upconversion occurs by an exchange mechanism involving Yb(3+) and Mn(2+). The Yb(3+) 2F(5/2)-->(2)F(7/2) near-IR emission around 10 000 cm(-1) is also observed after Mn(2+) excitation at 21 838 cm(-1). This is indicative of a Mn(2+) 4T(1g)--> Yb(3+) 2F(5/2) relaxation process, which is a potential loss process for upconversion efficiency.     

The effects of Gd3+ substitution on the crystal structure, site symmetry, and photoluminescence of Y/Eu layered rare-earth hydroxide (LRH) nanoplates

Well crystallized nanoplates of the (Y(0.95-x)Gd(x)Eu(0.05))(2)(OH)(5)NO(3)·nH(2)O ternary layered rare-earth hydroxides (LRHs), synthesized hydrothermally, have been investigated with emphasis on the effects of Gd(3+) substitution for Y(3+) on the structural features and optical properties. Characterizations of the materials were achieved by the combined techniques of XRD, FT-IR, TEM, DTA/TG, and optical spectroscopies. The results showed that Gd(3+) substitution leads to linearly expanded ab plane, shortened interlayer distance (c/2), and reduced hydration (smaller n value) of the crystal structure. As a consequence, the Ln(3+) partially shifts from the C(4v) to C(1) site symmetries and thus leads to systematically altered photoluminescence behaviors. Under the (7)F(0)→(5)L(6) transition excitation of Eu(3+) at 394 nm, both the (5)D(0)→(7)F(2) to (5)D(0)→(7)F(4) and the 595 nm (5)D(0)→(7)F(1) to 590 nm (5)D(0)→(7)F(1) intensity ratios linearly increase towards a higher Gd(3+) content. The incorporated Gd(3+) cations selectively sensitize emission from the C(1)-site Eu(3+) and produce a new charge transfer (CT) excitation band at ～254 nm. With this, the desired 615-nm red emission is obtainable either under intra-4f(6) transition excitation of Eu(3+) or by exciting the CT band. The materials have similar fluorescence lifetimes of 0.85 ± 0.05 ms for the 615-nm emission, irrespective of the Gd(3+) content and excitation wavelength.     

Luminescence and microstructures of Eu(3+)-doped Ca9LiGd(2/3)(PO4)7

A red-emitting phosphor, Eu(3+)-doped Ca(9)LiGd(2/3)(PO(4))(7), was synthesized by the conventional high-temperature solid-state reaction. X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) analyses confirmed the pure crystalline phase of Whitlockite-type structure. The excitation spectra of Eu(3+) doped Ca(9)LiGd(2/3)(PO(4))(7) were measured in the VUV and UV region indicating an efficient energy transfer process from the host and Gd(3+) to Eu(3+) ions. Upon excitation with VUV and UV radiation, the phosphor showed strong red emission around 611 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole (5)D(0)→(7)F(2) transition of Eu(3+) ions. The VUV- and UV-excited luminescence spectra of Ca(9)LiGd(2/3)(PO(4))(7):Eu(3+) together with the dependence of the integrated emission intensities on the doping levels were investigated. The Eu(3+) ions were investigated by a tunable laser as an excitation source. The excitation spectra of (7)F(0)→(5)D(0) transitions suggest that there are two families of inequivalent sites for Eu(3+) in this host. The concentration quenching and crystallographic site-occupancy of Eu(3+) ions in Ca(9)LiGd(2/3)(PO(4))(7) host were discussed on the basis of the site selective excitation and emission spectra, the luminescence decay and its crystal structure.     

SrF_2晶体中Ho~(3 )-Ho~(3 )离子对的上转换发光研究

究了在连续可调谐红色染料激光激发下,掺杂Ｈｏ３＋离子的ＳｒＦ２单晶中Ｈｏ３＋Ｈｏ３＋对的上转换发光特性。Ｈｏ３＋Ｈｏ３＋离子对的上转换发光主要分布于：强５Ｆ３→５Ｉ８跃迁４８０ｎｍ蓝色发射,较强５Ｓ２,５Ｆ４→５Ｉ８跃迁的５４０ｎｍ绿色发射。给出了ＳｒＦ２晶体中Ｈｏ３＋离子发射光谱中不同能级跃迁的谱峰及所对应的跃迁。通过对样品的激发,发射光谱和发光的上升、衰减等过程的分析,研究了发光中心的结构,分析了Ｈｏ３＋上转换发光的机制,建立了Ｈｏ３＋Ｈｏ３＋离子对的能级图     

Ga2O3-La2O3-Yb2O3-Er2O3(HO2O3)体系光谱性质的研究

根据稀土离子能级的特点,对Ga2O3-La2O3-Yb2O3-Er2O3(HO2O3)体系的光谱性质进行了探讨,发现它们有二类发光性质:Stokes发光和反Stokes发光,研究了发光强度和发射波长与掺杂离子的依赖关系,观察到由能量的共振转移引起的荧光浓度猝灭现象,并取得了最大发光强度时的掺杂离子浓度和一些规律性结果.     

Efficient white light emission by upconversion in Yb(3+)-, Er(3+)- and Tm(3+)-doped Y2BaZnO5

We report efficient white upconversion luminescence in Yb(3+)-, Er(3+)- and Tm(3+)-doped monophasic and biphasic Y(2)BaZnO(5) phosphors under 977 nm near-infrared excitation and at low excitation power densities (down to ～25 mW mm(-2)).