Temperature-dependent six-photon upconversion fluorescence of Er

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ codoped β-NaYF₄ microcrystals were synthesized through a facile EDTA-assisted hydrothermal method. Under 980 nm excitation, 244, 256, and 276 nm upconversion (UC) emissions were observed in NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ microcrystals, which were assigned to the ²I_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ⁴D_7/2 → ⁴I_15/2, and ⁴G_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ ions, respectively. Successive energy transfers (ETs) from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ played crucial roles in populating the high-energy states of Er³⁺ ions. Power dependence analysis exhibited that 244 and 256 nm UC emissions came from six-photon processes. Temperature-dependent UC emissions of ⁴D_7/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ²I_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ were discussed and the nonradiative relaxation (NR) process of ²I_11/2 → ⁴D_7/2 was confirmed.     

Visible and infrared luminescence properties of Er-doped Y2Ti2O7 nanocrystals

Er³⁺-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals were fabricated by the sol-gel method. While the annealing temperature exceeds 757 °C, amorphous pyrochlore phase Er_xY_2−xTi₂O₇ transfers to well-crystallized nanocrystals, and the average crystal size increases from ∼70 to ∼180 nm under 800-1000 °C/1 h annealing. Er_xY_2−xTi₂O₇ nanocrystals absorbing 980 nm photons can produce the upconversion (526, 547, and 660 nm; ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2, respectively) and Stokes (1528 nm; ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2) photoluminescence (PL). The infrared PL decay curve is single-exponential for Er³⁺ (5 mol%)-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals but slightly nonexponential for Er³⁺ (10 mol%)-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ nanocrystals. For 5 and 10 mol% doping concentrations, the mechanism of up-converted green light is the two-photon excited-state absorption. Much stronger intensity of red light relative to green light was observed for the sample with 10 mol% dopant. This phenomenon can be attributed to the reduced distance between Er³⁺-Er³⁺ ions, resulting in the enhancement of the energy-transfer upconversion and cross-relaxation mechanisms.     

IRRS, UV-Vis-NIR absorption and photoluminescence upconversion in Ho-doped oxyfluorophosphate glasses

Infrared reflection spectroscopic (IRRS), ultraviolet-visible-near infrared (UV-Vis-NIR) absorption and photoluminescence upconversion properties with special emphasis on the spectrochemistry of the oxyfluorophosphate (oxide incorporated fluorophosphates) glasses of the Ba(PO₃)₂-AlF₃-CaF₂-SrF₂-MgF₂-Ho₂O₃ system have been studied with different concentrations (0.1, 0.3 and 1.0 mol%) of Ho₂O₃. IRRS spectral band position and intensity of Ho³⁺ ion doped oxyfluorophosphate glasses have been discussed in terms of reduced mass and force constant. UV-Vis-NIR absorption band position has been justified with quantitative calculation of nephelauxetic parameter and covalent bonding characteristics of the host. NIR to visible upconversion has been investigated by exciting at 892 nm at room temperature. Three upconverted bands originated from the ⁵F₃→⁵I₈, (⁵S₂, ⁵F₄)→⁵I₈ and ⁵F₅→⁵I₈ transitions have found to be centered at 491 nm (blue, medium), 543 nm (green, very strong) and 658 nm (red, weak), respectively. These bands have been justified from the evaluation of the absorption, normal (down conversion) fluorescence and excitation spectra. The upconversion processes have been explained by the excited state absorption (ESA), energy transfer (ET) and cross relaxation (CR) mechanisms involving population of the metastable (storage) energy levels by multiphonon deexcitation effect. It is evident from the IRRS study that the upconversion phenomena are expedited by the low multiphonon relaxation rate in oxyfluorophosphate glasses owing to their high intense low phonon energy (∼600 cm⁻¹) which is very close to that of fluoride glasses (500-600 cm⁻¹).     

Synthesis and upconversion luminescence properties of YF3:Yb/Tm octahedral nanocrystals

YF₃:Yb³⁺(20%)/Tm³⁺(2%) octahedral nanocrystals were synthesized by a microemulsion method with NH₄HF₂. Pumped with a 980-nm diode laser, the nanocrystals emitted weak blue and intense ultraviolet light. Especially, unusual ³P₂ → ³H₆ (∼265 nm) and ³P₂ → ³F₄ (∼309 nm) emissions, coming from a five-photon excitation process, were observed. The emissions from ¹D₂ and ¹I₆ were much stronger than those from ¹G₄ and ³H₄. The upconversion mechanism was discussed in detail.     

Enhanced ultraviolet up-conversion emissions of Tm/Yb codoped YF3 nanocrystals

Tm³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped rod-like YF₃ nanocrystals were synthesized through a facile hydrothermal method. After annealing in an argon atmosphere, the nanocrystals emitted bright blue and intense ultraviolet (UV) light under a 980-nm continuous wave diode laser excitation. Up-conversion emissions centered at ∼291 nm (¹I₆ → ³H₆), ∼347 nm (¹I₆ → ³F₄), ∼362 nm (¹D₂ → ³H₆), ∼452 nm (¹D₂ → ³F₄), ∼476 nm (¹G₄ → ³H₆), ∼642 nm (¹G₄ → ³F₄), and ∼805 nm (³H₄ → ³H₆) were recorded using a fluorescence spectrophotometer. Especially, enhanced UV emissions were studied by changing Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ doping concentrations, the annealing temperatures, and the excitation power densities. A possible mechanism, energy transfer-cross relaxation-energy transfer (ET-CR-ET), was proposed based on a simple rate-equation model to elucidate the process of the enhanced UV emissions.     

Size-dependent upconversion luminescence in YF3:Yb/Tm nanobundles

The upconversion luminescent properties of YF₃:Yb³⁺(20%)/Tm³⁺(1%) nanobundles with different sizes (240-500 nm in length) were studied under 980-nm excitation. Ultraviolet (¹I₆ → ³F₄/³H₆ and ¹D₂ → ³H₆), blue (¹D₂ → ³F₄ and ¹G₄ → ³H₆), red (¹D₂ → ³H₄, ¹G₄ → ³F₄, and ³F₃ → ³H₆), and near infrared (³H₄ → ³H₆) emissions were observed. The results indicated that the relative intensity of the ultraviolet to the blue as well as the blue to the near infrared increased with decreasing the size of nanobundles. Especially, the position of the dominant red emission peak varied with the size of nanobundles. As the length of nanobundles increased to 500 nm, unusual ³F₃ → ³H₆ transition was observed, which was theoretically explained considering the decrease of the nonradiative transition rate of ³F₃ → ³H₄.     

Color tuning by co-doping of Er doped TiO2 phosphors within a fixed Er concentration

In this paper, we report the color tuning of Er doped TiO₂ upconversion phosphors within a fixed Er concentration using 976 nm semiconductor laser diode excitation. By codoping with Mo, Yb or Li ions in the Er doped TiO₂, the green and red upconversion emissions from the ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er ions were enhanced selectively and the color output of Er doped TiO₂ could be tuned by different intensity ratios of green to red emissions. The two-photon absorption processes were responsible for the green and red upconversion emissions of Er–Mo, Er–Yb and Er–Li codoped TiO₂ phosphors, and the corresponding enhanced mechanisms were discussed. It is expected that these color tuned phosphors within a fixed Er concentration have great potential for applications in biology, displays and other optical technology.     

Green and red upconversion luminescence in CeO2:Er powders produced by 785 nm laser

CeO₂:Er³⁺ powders were prepared by Pechini type sol-gel method. The structural properties of CeO₂:Er³⁺ were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. The results show that CeO₂:Er³⁺ has low phonon cutoff energy, which indicate that CeO₂:Er³⁺ may have high luminescent efficiency. The green and red upconverted luminescence spectra of Er³⁺ were investigated under excitation into the ⁴I_9/2 level by 785 nm laser. The upconversion mechanisms were studied in detail through laser power dependence and Er³⁺ ions concentration dependence of upconverted emissions, and results show that excited state absorption and energy transfer process are the possible mechanisms for the upconversion. The upconversion properties indicate that CeO₂:Er³⁺ may be used in upconversion phosphors.     

Two color up-conversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanopowders prepared by non-aqueous sol-gel method

Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol-gel method using the aluminum isopropoxide as precursor, acetylacetone as a chelating agent, nitric acid as a catalyzer, and hydrated erbium nitrate as a dopant under isopropanol environment. The different phase structure, including three crystalline types of (Al, Er)₂O₃ phases, α, γ, θ, and an Er–Al–O stoichiometric compound phase, Al₁₀Er₆O₂₄, was observed for the 0.01–0.5 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders at the sintering temperature of 1,000 °C. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 523, 545 and 660 nm, corresponding respectively to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978 nm semiconductor laser diodes excitation. With increasing Er³⁺ doping concentration from 0.01 to 0.1 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions increased with a decrease of the intensity ratio of the green to red emission. When the Er³⁺ doping concentration rose to 5 mol%, the intensity of the green and red emissions decreased with an increase of their intensity ratio. The maximum intensity of both the green and red emissions with the minimum of intensity ratio was obtained, respectively, for the 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders composed of a single α-(Al,Er)₂O₃ phase. The intensity ratio of the green emission at 523 and 545 nm increased monotonously for all Er³⁺ doping concentrations. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process was involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions of the Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ nanopowders.     

Synthesis, vacuum ultraviolet and near ultraviolet-excited luminescent properties of GdCaAl3O7: RE (RE=Eu, Tb)

Vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) excitation and photoluminescent (PL) properties of Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ion-doped aluminate phosphors, GdCaAl₃O₇:Eu³⁺ and GdCaAl₃O₇:Tb³⁺ have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns indicate that the phosphor GdCaAl₃O₇ forms without impurity phase at 900 °C. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) images show that the particle size of the phosphor is less than 3 μm. Upon excitation with VUV irradiation, the phosphors show a strong emission at around 619 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺, and at around 545 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺. The results reveal that both GdCaAl₃O₇:RE³⁺ (RE=Eu, Tb) are potential candidates as red and green phosphors, respectively, for use in plasma display panel (PDP).     

Enhanced quantum yield of yellow photoluminescence of Dy ions in nonlinear optical Ba2TiSi2O8 nanocrystals formed in glass

Transparent crystallized glasses consisting of nonlinear optical Ba₂TiSi₂O₈ nanocrystals (diameter: ∼100 nm) are prepared through the crystallization of 40BaO-20TiO₂-40SiO₂-0.5Dy₂O₃ glass (in the molar ratio), and photoluminescence quantum yields of Dy³⁺ ions in the visible region are evaluated directly by using a photoluminescence spectrometer with an integrating sphere. The incorporation of Dy³⁺ ions into Ba₂TiSi₂O₈ nanocrystals is confirmed from the X-ray diffraction analyses. The total quantum yields of the emissions at the bands of ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 (blue: 484 nm), ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 (yellow: 575 nm), and ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_11/2 (red: 669 nm) in the crystallized glasses are ∼15%, being about four times larger compared with the precursor glass. It is found that the intensity of yellow (575 nm) emissions and the branching ratio of the yellow (575 nm)/blue (484 nm) intensity ratio increase largely due to the crystallization. It is suggested from Judd-Ofelt analyses that the site symmetry of Dy³⁺ ions in the crystallized glasses is largely distorted, giving a large increase in the yellow emissions. It is proposed that Dy³⁺ ions substitute Ba²⁺ sites in Ba₂TiSi₂O₈ nanocrystals.     

Opposite effect of Li<Superscript>+</Superscript> codoping on the upconversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> powders

The Er³⁺-Li⁺ codoped TiO₂ powders have been prepared by the non-aqueous sol–gel method. The green and red upconversion emissions centered at about 526, 550 and 663 nm were observed by the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, respectively. Li⁺ codoping has opposite effect on the upconversion emissions intensities for Er³⁺-doped TiO₂ at sintering temperatures of 1,073 and 1,273 K. At 1,073 K, the Er³⁺-doped TiO₂ phase transition from anatase to rutile was accelerated with increasing Li⁺ codoping concentration, leading to the increase of crystal field symmetry of Er³⁺, thus the upconversion emissions intensities decreased. At 1,273 K, Li⁺ codoping had no effect on the phase structure of Er³⁺-doped TiO₂ and only increased the Er–O bond length, it indicated that the upconversion emissions intensities greatly enhanced because of the decrease of crystal field symmetry of Er³⁺.     

Novel rare earth ions-doped oxyfluoride nano-composite with efficient upconversion white-light emission

Transparent SiO₂-Al₂O₃-NaF-YF₃ bulk nano-composites triply doped with Ho³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Yb³⁺ were fabricated by melt-quenching and subsequent heating. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements demonstrated the homogeneous precipitation of the β-YF₃ crystals with mean size of 20 nm among the glass matrix, and rare earth ions were found to partition into these nano-crystals. Under single 976 nm laser excitation, intense red, green and blue upconversion emissions were simultaneously observed owing to the successive energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Ho³⁺ or Tm³⁺. Various colors of luminescence, including bright perfect white light, can be easily tuned by adjusting the concentrations of the rare earth ions in the material. The overall energy efficiency of the white-light upconversion was estimated to be about 0.2%.     

A potential red phosphor ZnMoO4:Eu for light-emitting diode application

Motivated by the need for new red phosphors for solid-state lighting applications Eu³⁺-doped ZnMoO₄ was prepared by solid-state reaction and its photoluminescence properties were investigated. Compared with Ca_0.80MoO₄:Eu_0.20³⁺, the obtained Zn_0.80MoO₄:Eu_0.20³⁺ phosphor shows a stronger excitation band near 400 nm as well as enhanced red emissions (under 393 nm excitation). The strong red-emission lines at 616 nm correspond to the forced electric dipole ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transitions on Eu³⁺. The chromaticity coordinates (x=0.63, y=0.37) are close to the standard of National Television Standard Committee (NTSC). The optical properties suggest that Zn_0.80MoO₄:Eu_0.20³⁺ is an efficient red-emitting phosphor for LED applications.     

Upconversion Luminescence Properties of a LiNb0.3Ta0.7O3:Er3+,Yb3+ Ceramic

A co-doped LiNb_0.3Ta_0.7O₃:Er³⁺,Yb³⁺ ceramic was prepared by a high temperature solid state procedure. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser radiation, intense 660 nm red light and 550 nm green light emissions corresponding to the ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ were observed. The change of Yb³⁺ concentration has a more significant influence on luminous intensity than the Er³⁺ concentration. The emission of red and green lights is attributed to a two-photon process. The upconversion luminescence mechanisms were analyzed in detail.     

Spectroscopic Properties and Upconversion Studies in Ho3+/Yb3+ Co‐doped Calcium Scandate with Spectrally Pure Green emission

The optical properties of a Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped CaSc₂O₄ oxide material are investigated in detail. The spectral properties are described as a function of doping concentrations. The efficient Yb³⁺→Ho³⁺ energy transfer is observed. The transfer efficiency approaches 50 % before concentration quenching. The concentration‐optimized sample exhibits a strong green emission accompanied with a weak red emission, showing perfect green monochromaticity. The results of the spectral distribution, power dependence, and lifetime measurements are presented. The green, red, and near‐infrared (NIR) emissions around 545, 660, and 759 nm are assigned to the ⁵F₄+⁵S₂→⁵I₈, ⁵F₅→⁵I₈, and ⁵F₄+⁵S₂→⁵I₇ transitions of Ho³⁺, respectively. The detailed study reveals the upconversion luminescence mechanism involved in a novel Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺ co‐doped CaSc₂O₄ oxide material.     

Synthesis, characterization, photoluminescence and EPR investigations of Mn doped MgAl2O4 phosphors

MgAl₂O₄:Mn phosphors have been prepared at 500 °C by combustion route. Powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) indicated the presence of mono-MgAl₂O₄ phase. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the powder particle crystallites are mostly angular. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed the presence of AlO₆ group which makes up the MgAl₂O₄ spinel. Photoluminescence studies showed green/red emission indicating that two independent luminescence channels in this phosphor. The green emission at 518 nm is due to ⁴T₁ → ⁶A₁ transition of Mn²⁺ ions. The emission at 650 nm is due to the charge-transfer deexcitation associated with the Mn ion. EPR spectrum exhibits allowed and forbidden hyperfine structure at g=2.003. The g≈2.00 is due to Mn²⁺ ion in an environment close to tetrahedral symmetry. It is observed that N and χ increase with decrease of temperature obeying the Boltzmann law. The variation of zero-field splitting parameter (D) with temperature is evaluated and discussed.     

Hydrothermal synthesis and luminescent properties of LuBO3:Tb microflowers

Hexagonal vaterite-type LuBO₃:Tb³⁺ microflower-like phosphors have been successfully prepared by an efficient surfactant- and template-free hydrothermal process directly without further sintering treatment. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectrometry, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electron diffraction (SAED), photoluminescence (PL) and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. The as-obtained phosphor samples present flowerlike agglomerates composed of nanoflakes with thickness of 40 nm and high crystallinity in spite of the moderate reaction temperature of 200 °C. The reaction mechanism has been considered as a dissolution/precipitation mechanism; the self-assembly evolution process has been proposed on homocentric layer-by-layer growth style. Under ultraviolet excitation into the 4f⁸→4f⁷5d transition of Tb³⁺ at 248 nm (or 288 nm) and low-voltage electron beam excitation, LuBO₃:Tb³⁺ samples show the characteristic green emission of Tb³⁺ corresponding to ⁵D₄→⁷F_{6, 5, 4, 3} transitions with the ⁵D₄→⁷F₅ transition (542 nm) being the most prominent group, which have potential applications in fluorescent lamps and field emission displays.     

Photoluminescence of Eu-doped triple phosphate Ca8MgR(PO4)7 (R=La, Gd, Y)

Eu³⁺-doped triple phosphate Ca₈MgR(PO₄)₇ (R=La, Gd, Y) was synthesized by the general high-temperature solid-state reaction. Excitation and emission spectra as well as luminescence decay were used to characterize the phosphors. Photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra showed that the phosphor could be efficiently excited by UV-vis light from 260 to 450 nm to give bright red emission assigned to the transition (⁵D₀→⁷F₂) at 612 nm. The richness of the red color has been verified by determining their color coordinates (X, Y) from the CIE standard.     

Uniform Ln (Eu, Tb) doped NaLa(WO4)2 nanocrystals: Synthesis, characterization, and optical properties

Uniform shuttle-like Ln³⁺ (Eu³⁺, Tb³⁺) doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ nanocrystals have been solvothermally synthesized, and the size of the nanocrystals could be easily controlled by adjusting the volume ratio of ethylene glycol (EG) to water. Doped with 5 mol% Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions, the NaLa(WO₄)₂ nanocrystals showed strong red and green emissions with lifetimes of 0.8 and 1.40 ms, respectively. A high quenching concentration of 15 mol% was observed in Eu³⁺-doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ nanocrystals and 35 mol% in Tb³⁺-doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ nanocrystals. The emission intensity measurements of Eu³⁺-doped NaLa(WO₄)₂ with different sizes indicated that the emission intensity of shuttles with length of 300 nm in average was stronger than that of shuttles with length of 900 nm in average, but was weaker than that of needles with length of 4 and 9 μm in average.