Optical spectroscopy of Yb/Er codoped NaY(WO4)2 crystal

Erbium and ytterbium codoped double tungstates NaY(WO₄)₂ crystals were prepared by using Czochralski (CZ) pulling method. The absorption spectra in the region 290-2000 nm have been recorded at room temperature. The Judd-Ofelt theory was applied to the measured values of absorption line strengths to evaluate the spontaneous emission probabilities and stimulated emission cross sections of Er³⁺ ions in NaY(WO₄)₂ crystals. Intensive green and red lights were measured when the sample were pumped by a 974 nm laser diode (LD), especially, the intensities of green upconversion luminescence are very strong. The mechanism of energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ ions was analyzed. Energy transfer and nonradiative relaxation played an important role in the upconversion process. Photoexcited luminescence experiments are also fulfilled to help analyzing the transit processes of the energy levels.     

Synthesis, morphology and spectroscopy of cubic Y3NbO7:Er

Synthesis of Y₃NbO₇:Er powders with the aid of Li₂SO₄ flux is reported and spectroscopic properties of the resultant powders are presented. The dopant content varied in the range of 0.1-15 at%. The materials crystallized in the fluorite-type cubic structure in which all the metal ions—Y, Nb, and Er—randomly occupy the same site offered by the host lattice and the O-vacancy is also randomly distributed within the metal surrounding. Transmission electron microscopy images revealed that the agglomeration of particles is very low and the sizes of the grains are around 500 nm. Selected area electron diffraction patterns proved that each grain is monocrystalline. Absorption, excitation, and emission spectra are characterized by relatively broad structures related to the Er³⁺ ion. The broadening results from some inhomogeneity of the activator ion surroundings related to the specific structure of the host lattice. When the Er content is only 0.1% both photoluminescence and up-converted emission are dominated by a green luminescent band around 550 nm. However, the efficiency of up-conversion is very low . With increasing concentration of the dopant, a red band located around 665 nm appears and becomes systematically stronger. In up-converted emission, the intensity of the red band surpasses the green one when the Er concentration exceeds 5%. For low concentrations, the up-conversion occurs through a sequential absorption of two infrared (IR) (980 nm) photons from the excitation beam by Er³⁺ ion through excited-state absorption mechanism. For higher concentrations, the energy transfer between two neighboring excited Er ions plays dominant role. Surprisingly, the mechanism of up-converted low-intensity luminescence from ²H_11/2 state seems to diverge from the mechanism characteristic for the ⁴S_3/2 level, which conclusion comes from different slopes of the double-log relationships.     

Optical and EPR study of BaY2F8 single crystals doped with Yb

Optical and electron paramagnetic resonance study have been carried out on BaY₂F₈ single crystals doped with Yb ions at 0.5 and 10 mol%. The crystals have been obtained using the Czochralski method modified for fluoride crystal growth. Optical transmission measurements in the range of 190-3200 nm and photoluminescence measurements were carried out at room temperature. Absorption spectra of BaY₂F₈ single crystals doped with Yb due to the ²F_7/2→²F_5/2 transitions have been observed in the 930-980 nm range. To analyze the possible presence of Yb²⁺ ions in the investigated crystals, irradiation with γ-quanta with a dose of 10⁵ Gy have been performed. The observed photoluminescence bands show usual emission in IR and other one in VIS, being an effect of cooperative emission of Yb³⁺ ions and energy up-conversion transitions of photons from IR to UV-vis(visible) due to hoping process between energy levels of paired Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺, where Er³⁺ ions are unintentional dopants. The EPR spectra of BaY₂F₈:Yb 10 mol% consist of many overlapping lines. They have been analyzed in terms of spin monomers, pairs, and clusters. The angular dependence of the resonance lines positions have been studied also to find the location of coupled ytterbium ions in the crystal structure.     

Optical properties of Er:SrMoO4 single crystal

Er³⁺:SrMoO₄ crystal of high optical quality was grown by the Czochralski method. The room temperature polarized absorption and emission spectra together with the lifetime decay curve were measured. Based on the Judd-Ofelt theory, three intensity parameters, radiative transition rates, radiative lifetimes and fluorescent branching ratios, were obtained. Emission cross-section and gain cross-section around 1.54 μm were also obtained.     

Luminescence spectroscopy of Ti ions in Li2O-CaF2-P2O5 glass ceramics

Li₂O-CaF₂-P₂O₅ glasses mixed with different concentrations of TiO₂ (ranging from 0 to 0.8 mol%) were crystallized at 500 °C. The photo luminescence spectra of these samples excited with the wavelengths corresponding to their absorption edges have been recorded at room temperature. The spectra exhibited an emission band in the wavelength region 470-500 nm. The emission band is identified due to the charge transfer from O²⁻ ion in to empty 3d orbital of octahedrally positioned Ti⁴⁺ ions. The analysis of the results further indicates the highest luminescence efficiency for the glass ceramic sample crystallized with 0.6 mol% of TiO₂.     

Synthesis and crystal structures and luminescent properties of divalent europium-doped Ba2ZnSi2O7 and BaZn2Si2O7

The monoclinic Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺ blue-green-emitting phosphor and the orthorhombic BaZn₂Si₂O₇:Eu²⁺ green-emitting phosphor were prepared by combustion-assisted synthesis method as the fluorescent materials for ultraviolet-light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs) performed as a light source. The crystallinity and luminescence were investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy. Pure monoclinic Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇ and orthorhombic BaZn₂Si₂O₇ crystallize completely at 1100 °C. The doped Eu²⁺ ions did not cause any significant change in the host structure. The emission spectra presented an emission position red shift of up to 16 nm from Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺ to BaZn₂Si₂O₇:Eu²⁺. The excitation spectra of Ba₂ZnSi₂O₇:Eu²⁺ and BaZn₂Si₂O₇:Eu²⁺ were broad-banding, extending from 260 to 465 nm, which match the emission of UV-LEDs.     

A potential red phosphor LiGd(MoO4)2:Eu for light-emitting diode application

Eu³⁺-doped LiGd(MoO₄)₂ red phosphor was synthesized by solid-state reaction, and its photoluminescent properties were measured. The effect of Eu³⁺ doping concentration on PL intensity was investigated, and the optimum concentration of Eu³⁺ doped in LiGd(MoO₄)₂ was found to be 30 mol%. Compared with Y₂O₂S:0.05Eu³⁺, Na_0.5Gd_0.5MoO₄:Eu³⁺ and KGd(MoO₄)₂:Eu³⁺, the LiGd(MoO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ phosphor showed a stronger excitation band around 395 nm and a higher intensity red emission of Eu³⁺ under 395 nm light excitation. For the first time, intensive red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated by combining phosphor and a 395 nm InGaN chip, confirming that the LiGd(MoO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ phosphor is a good candidate for LED applications.     

Emission analysis of Tb:MgAl2O4 powder phosphor

This paper reports the emission analysis of green-emitting Tb³⁺-doped MgAl₂O₄ phosphors. Uniformity of the phase of the Tb³⁺-doped MgAl₂O₄ phosphor has been checked by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and show common bands existing in the results of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). This phosphor exhibits weak blue, orange emissions and a strong emission at λ_exci=350 nm. The blue and green-orange emissions are ascribed to ⁵D₃→⁷F_J and ⁵D₄→⁷F_J (where J=3-6) transitions of Tb³⁺ ions, respectively. These phosphors have shown a strong, more prominent green emission from ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ at 543 nm. The results have indicated that MgAl₂O₄:Tb³⁺ could be a potential candidate as agreen-emitting powder phosphor.     

Combustion synthesis and luminescent properties of a new material Li2(Ba0.99,Eu0.01)SiO4:B for ultraviolet light emitting diodes

Using urea as fuel and boric as flux, a novel bluish green emitting phosphor Li₂(Ba_0.99,Eu_0.01)SiO₄:B³⁺ has been successfully synthesized using a combustion method. The material has potential application as the fluorescent material for ultraviolet light-emitting diodes (UV-LEDs). The dependence of the properties of Li₂(Ba_0.99,Eu_0.01)SiO₄:B³⁺ phosphors upon urea concentration, boric acid doping and initiating combustion temperature were investigated. The crystallization and particle sizes of Li₂(Ba_0.99,Eu_0.01)SiO₄:B³⁺ have been investigated by using powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Luminescence measurements showed that the phosphors can be efficiently excited by ultraviolet (UV) to visible region, emitting a bluish green light with peak wavelength of 490 nm. The results showed that the boric acid was effective in improving the luminescence intensity of Li₂(Ba_0.99,Eu_0.01)SiO₄ and the optimum molar ratio of boric acid to barium nitrate was about 0.06. The optimized phosphors Li₂(Ba_0.99,Eu_0.01)SiO₄:B_0.06³⁺ showed 160% improved emission intensity compared with that of the Li₂(Ba_0.99,Eu_0.01)SiO₄ phosphors under UV (λ_ex=350 nm) excitation.     

Optical spectra of Dy in KY3F10 and LiLuF4 crystalline fibers

Visible optical properties of two crystalline fibers (KY₃F₁₀ and LiLuF₄) doped with Dy³⁺ have been investigated. In particular, the room-temperature absorption spectra have been analyzed using the Judd–Ofelt theory and the intensity parameters have been obtained. A criterion suitable for determining the proper choice of the dopant composition to tailor the luminescence properties of the crystals is proposed.     

KGd(MoO4)2:Eu as a promising red phosphor for light-emitting diode application

A red phosphor KGd(MoO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ was prepared by solid-state reaction technique at high temperature. Its photoluminescent property was investigated and the optimum concentration of Eu³⁺ doped in the KGd(MoO₄)₂ is 25 mol%. Compared with Y₂O₂S:0.05Eu³⁺, the obtained KGd(MoO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ shows wider excitation band around 400 nm, higher intensity of Eu^{3+ 5}D₀–⁷F₂ emission upon excitation 393 nm, and the CIE chromaticity coordinates (x = 0.655, y = 0.345) are closer to the standard of National Television Standard Committee (NTSC). The optical properties of KGd(MoO₄)₂:Eu³⁺ suggest that it is an efficient red-emitting phosphor for light-emitting diode applications.     

Optical spectroscopy of heavily Ho-doped BaY2F8 crystals

The ultraviolet, visible, and near IR (0.8-2.4 μm) luminescence spectra of BaY₂F₈ single crystals heavily doped with Ho³⁺ ions (10 and 30 mol%) have been investigated at room temperature and 12 K, together with the luminescence decay curves (up to 300 μs) of the visible emission. Excitation in the visible region gives rise to very strong emission bands originating from the first ⁵I₇ level and located around 2070 nm. However the ⁵I₇ emission is not observed upon excitation at wavelengths shorter than 300 nm. The inter-ionic processes are found to shorten the decay times of the levels emitting in the visible region with respect to the corresponding radiative lifetimes.     

Optical gain due to the Eu transition in the alloy of Ca1-xEuxGa2S4

Room temperature photoluminescence quantum efficiency of the alloy of Ca_1−xEu_xGa₂S₄ was measured as a function of x, and was found to be nearly unity under excitation at peak wavelength of excitation spectrum (510 nm) in the x range of 0.01≤x≤0.2. At larger x values, it tends to decrease, but still as high as 30% for stoichiometric compound EuGa₂S₄. Taking these backgrounds into account, pump-probe experiments were done with Ca_1−xEu_xGa₂S₄ for searching optical gain at x=0.2. The optical gain of nearly 30 cm⁻¹ was confirmed to exist, though the pumping induced transient absorption which seems to limit the higher gain was found.     

Argon ions induced thermoluminescence properties of Ba0.12Sr0.88SO4 phosphor

Thermoluminescence properties of barium strontium mixed sulfate have been studied by irradiation with Argon ions. The sample was recrystallized by chemical co-precipitation techniques using H₂SO₄. The X-ray diffraction study of prepared sample suggests the orthorhombic structure with average grain size of 60 nm. The samples were irradiated with 1.2 MeV Argon ions at fluences varying between 10¹¹ and 10¹⁵ ions/cm². The argon ions penetrate to the depth of 1.89 μm and lose their energy mainly via electronic stopping. Due to ion irradiation, a large number of defects in the sample are formed. Thermally stimulated luminescence (TSL) glow curves of ion irradiated Ba_0.12Sr_0.88SO₄ phosphor exhibit broad peak with maximum intensity at 495 K composed of four overlapping peaks. This indicates that different sets of traps are being activated within the particular temperature range each with its own value of activation energy (E) and frequency factor (s). Thermoluminescence (TL) glow curves were recorded for each of the ion fluences. A linear increase in intensity of TL glow peaks was found with the increase in ion dose from 59 kGy to 5.9 MGy. The kinetic parameters associated with the prominent glow peaks were calculated using glow curve deconvolution (GCD), different glow curve shape and sample heating rate methods.     

Luminescence spectroscopy of Er-doped and Er, Yb-codoped LaPO4 single crystals

LaPO₄ single crystals lightly doped with Er³⁺, and codoped with Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ have been grown by spontaneous nucleation in a lead phosphate flux. Absorption and luminescence spectra have been measured in the visible and near-IR regions and the excited state dynamics has been studied upon pulsed laser excitation. The obtained results have allowed the evaluation of the effective emission cross-sections around 1.5 μm, that have been found to be similar to important oxide laser crystals doped with Er³⁺. Efficient visible upconversion has been observed upon excitation at 980 nm in the codoped crystals. This behaviour is attributed to Yb³⁺-Er³⁺ energy transfer processes.     

Characterization of Er-doped fluoride glass ceramics waveguides containing LaF3 nanocrystals

Highly Er³⁺-doped fluoride glass ceramics planar waveguides containing LaF₃ nanocrystals have been fabricated by physical vapor deposition (PVD). The solubility of Er³⁺ in the segregated nanocrystals can reach 30 mol% which is much larger than the value found in LaF₃-oxide glass ceramics. A quantitative analysis of the photoluminescence of the 1.54 μm emission band of Er³⁺ ions has demonstrated that erbium ions are partitioned in both crystals and vitreous phase. The short lifetime (2.2 ms) measured for erbium incorporated in LaF₃ crystal lattice is a consequence of concentration quenching while the lifetime is close to 10 ms in the glassy phase. The emission bandwidth has been found to be greater than that of the precursor glass (71 nm at the half-height width). The high Er³⁺ concentration and spectral width could make this nanostructured fluoride material suitable for planar amplifier in the C telecommunication band.     

Synthesis, characterization and upconversion emission properties of the nanocrystals of Yb/Er-codoped YF3-YOF-Y2O3 system

Nanocrystalline Yb³⁺, Er³⁺-codoped fluoride (YF₃), oxyfluoride (YOF), and oxide (Y₂O₃) phosphors have been synthesized by a facile pyrolysis of a yttrium trifluoroacetate precursor. YF₃, YOF and Y₂O₃ nanoparticles were demonstrated to be good host materials for lanthanides. Varied hosts led to different optical properties. Red, green, and blue up-conversion (UC) was observed upon excitation in the NIR spectral range in all synthesized compounds. The UC mechanisms were also analyzed.     

Optical properties of surface-modified Bi2O3 nanoparticles

Stearic acid coated Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles in the size range of 5-13 nm were synthesized by the microemulsion method. HRTEM showed that the morphology of Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles was ellipsoidal. The absorption edge of Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles showed a blue shift of ∼0.45 eV, comparing with that of the bulk Bi₂O₃. At room temperature, Bi₂O₃ nanoparticles also showed a strong luminescence at 397 and 420 nm, depending on the excitation wavelength.     

Yb~(3+)/Tm~(3+)共掺杂Sb_2O_4荧光粉的制备及上转换发光性质研究

高温固相法制备了Yb3+/Tm3+共掺的Sb2O4发光粉体,研究了其上转换发光性质。在980nm半导体激光器的激发下,样品发射较强的近红外(800nm)和较弱的蓝色(480nm)及红色(680nm)上转换发光。粉末样品中稀土Yb3+及Tm3+浓度对上转换发光性质具有显著的影响,随着Yb3+或Tm3+浓度的增加,上转换发光增强;Tm3+掺杂浓度达0.8%时其上转换发光强度达到最大,之后上转换发光随Tm3+浓度的增加而减弱,这是由于浓度猝灭引起的。探讨了粉末样品的上转换发光机理,在980nm激发下Tm3+的蓝光和近红外上转换发光均属于二光子的上转换发光过程。     

Optical study of Sr2SnO4:Eu phosphor

This work presents the influence of europium dopant on optical properties of Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ powders fabricated by a facile low temperature method. Powders were obtained from the same amounts of Eu³⁺ doping into the different concentrations of Sr(NO₃)₂. Powders were examined by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and photoluminescence (PL). SEM measurements different Eu concentrations in fabricated powders was determined to found different morphologies. XRD analysis revealed the existence of crystalline Sr₂SnO₄ in the form of tetragonal and the diffraction intensity was remarkably changed. PL studies showed a red luminescence of Sr₂SnO₄:Eu³⁺ powders. The intensity of luminescence increased with better crystallinity. This approach provides economically viable route for large-scale synthesis of this kind of nanopowders.