Upconversion photoluminescence properties of SrY2(MoO4)4:Er3+/Yb3+ phosphors synthesized by a cyclic microwave-modified sol–gel method

SrY_2−x(MoO₄)₄:Er³⁺/Yb³ phosphors with doping concentrations of Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ (x = Er³⁺ + Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ = 0.05, 0.1, 0.2 and Yb³⁺ = 0.2, 0.45) have been successfully synthesized by a cyclic microwave-modified sol–gel method, and the upconversion photoluminescence properties have been investigated. Well-crystallized particles showed a fine and homogeneous morphology with particle sizes of 1–3 μm. Under excitation at 980 nm, SrY₂(MoO₄)₄:Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ particles exhibited a strong 525-nm, weak 550-nm emission bands in the green region, and a very weak 655-nm emission band in the red region. The possible mechanism of the green and red emissions was discussed in detail under consideration of a two-photon process. The Raman spectra of the particles indicated the presence of strong peaks at both higher and lower frequencies.     

Synthesis and photoluminescence of core–shell structured spherical SiO2@YPO4:Tb3+ phosphors via sol–gel process

Monodispersed SiO₂@YPO₄:Tb³⁺ core–shell submicrospheres were prepared through a simply homogeneous sol–gel method. The resulted SiO₂@YPO₄:Tb³⁺ core–shell particles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectra (EDS), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence spectra (PL) and kinetic decays. The XRD results demonstrate that the YPO₄:Tb³⁺ layers begin to crystallize on the SiO₂ spheres after annealing at 500 °C and the crystallinity increases with raising the annealing temperature. The FTIR spectra show that the YPO₄:Tb³⁺ shell has linked to the silica surface through forming a Si–O–Y bond. SEM and TEM analysis indicate that SiO₂@YPO₄:Tb³⁺ core–shell submicrospheres have the regular microstructures and uniform size distributions. The emission spectra of the obtained submicrospheres are dominated by ⁵D₄–⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺ (545 nm, green), and the emission intensities of Tb³⁺ increase with increasing the annealing temperatures and the number of coating cycles. The optimum concentration for Tb³⁺ was determined to be 5 mol % of Y³⁺ in YPO₄ host.     

Microstructure and electro-optical properties of sol–gel derived Cd-doped ZnO films

The microstructure, and the electrical and optical properties of undoped zinc oxide (ZnO) and cadmium-doped ZnO (CZO) films deposited by a sol–gel method have been investigated. The films have a polycrystalline structure with hexagonal wurtzite ZnO. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images indicated that the films have a wrinkle network with uniform size distributions. The elemental analyses of the CZO films were carried out by energy dispersive X-ray analysis. The fundamental absorption edge changed with doping. The optical band gap of the films decreased with Cd dopant. The optical constants of the films such as refractive index, extinction coefficient and dielectric constants changed with Cd dopant. A two-probe method was used to investigate the electrical properties, and the effect of Cd content on the electrical properties was investigated. The electrical conductivity of the films was improved by incorporation of Cd in the ZnO film.     

Spectroscopic properties of Co2+: ZnAl2O4 nanocrystals in sol–gel derived glass–ceramics

Transparent glass–ceramics containing zinc–aluminum spinel (ZnAl₂O₄) nanocrystals doped with tetrahedrally coordinated Co²⁺ ions were obtained by the sol–gel method for the first time. The gels of composition SiO₂–Al₂O₃–ZnO–CoO were prepared at room temperature and heat-treated at temperature ranging 800–950 °C. When the gel samples were heated up to 900 °C, ZnAl₂O₄ nanocrystals were precipitated. Co²⁺ ions were located in tetrahedral sites in ZnAl₂O₄ nanocrystals. X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the crystallite sizes of ZnAl₂O₄ crystal become large with the heat-treatment temperature and time, and the crystallite diameter is in the range of 10–15 nm. The dependence of the absorption and emission spectra of the samples on heat-treatment temperature were presented. The difference in the luminescence between Co²⁺ doped glass–ceramic and Co²⁺ doped bulk crystal was analysed. The crystal field parameter D_q of 423 cm⁻¹ and the Racah parameters B of 773 cm⁻¹ and C of 3478.5 cm⁻¹ were calculated for tetrahedral Co²⁺ ions.     

Quasi-one dimensional Er3+–Yb3+ codoped single-crystal MoO3 ribbons: Synthesis,characterization and up-conversion luminescence

The quasi-one dimensional (Q1D) Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped single-crystal MoO₃ ribbons with width range from 1 to 5 μm, and maximum length about 30 μm have been synthesized by the vapor transport method. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscope, and luminescence spectra. By a 975 nm laser diode (LD) as excitation source, the blue, green and red emission bands centered at about 408, 532, 553 and 657 nm were detected, which attributed to the ²H_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, respectively. The three-, and two-photon process was responsible for the blue, green and red up-conversion emissions mechanism for the Q1D Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped single-crystal MoO₃ ribbons, respectively. The results suggested that the Q1D Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ codoped single-crystal MoO₃ ribbons will have potential applications in remote bio-imaging and surface enhanced Raman scattering.     

Optical thermometry probe via fiber containing β-NaLuF4:Yb3+/Er3+/Tm3+

In this article, β-NaLuF₄:Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺/Er³⁺ were synthesized by thermal decomposition technique. Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺/Er³⁺ has been firstly manifested to fabricate the microfibers after co-doping with polymer solution. The guiding performance of a microfiber was observed under 980 nm excitation source to prove that it could be used as an active and passive waveguides. The characteristics of optical thermal sensing of Tm³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in a single microfiber were demonstrated. The FIR method was utilized to evaluate the sensitivity of a single microfiber and maximum sensitivity of activator ions in a microfiber was achieved as 0.00124 and 0.00311 K^-1 with temperature ranging from 303 to 363 K, respectively. Our results suggest that a single microfiber has good sensing stability and has potential applications in the field of thermometry.     

Er3+-doped sol–gel SnO2 for optical laser and amplifier applications

Erbium-doped tin dioxide (SnO₂:Er³⁺) was obtained by the sol–gel method. Spectroscopic properties of the SnO₂:Er³⁺ are analyzed from the Judd–Ofelt (JO) theory. The JO model has been applied to absorption intensities of Er³⁺ (4f¹¹) transitions to establish the so-called Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters: Ω₂, Ω₄, and Ω₆. With the weak spectroscopic quality factors Ω₄/Ω₆, we expect a relatively prominent infrared laser emission. The intensity parameters are used to determine the spontaneous emission probabilities of some relevant transitions, the branching ratios, and the radiative lifetimes of several excited states of Er³⁺. The emission cross section (1.31×10^-20 cm²) is evaluated at 1.54 μm and was found to be relatively high compared to that of erbium in other systems. Efficient green and red up-conversion luminescence were observed, at room temperature, using a 798-nm excitation wavelength. The green up-conversion emission is mainly due to the excited state absorption from ⁴ I _11/2, which populates the ⁴ F _3/2,5/2 states. The red up-conversion emission is due to the energy transfer process described by Er³⁺ (⁴I_13/2)+Er³⁺(⁴I_11/2)→Er³⁺(⁴F_9/2)+Er³⁺ (⁴ I _15/2) and the cross-relaxation process. The efficient visible up-conversion and infrared luminescence indicate that Er³⁺-doped sol–gel SnO₂ is a promising laser and amplifier material. PACS 71.20.Eh; 74.25.Gz; 78.55.-m     

Er3+/Yb3+:KG(WO4)2的熔盐提拉法生长及光谱性能

采用熔盐提拉法生长了尺寸达30 mm×25 mm×15 mm的Er3+/yb3+KGd(WO4)2透明晶体,从中切出5 mm×5 mm×3mm大小的激光器件,在室温下测试了吸收光谱,可以观察到晶体存在366,380,489,522,651,811,980 nm等吸收峰,并对之进行了能级归属.同时在980 nm激光激发下测试了荧光光谱,可以发现在1 024,1 535 nm处存在较宽的强发射峰,其半高宽分别为60和36 nm.研究结果表明,Er3+/yb3+KG(WO4)2适合于InGaAs LD(980 nm)泵浦,有可能产生1 024 nm波段及人眼安全的1 535 nm波段的可调谐激光.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance and photoluminescence properties of α-Al2O3:Cr3+ phosphors

The red emitting Cr³⁺ activated α-Al₂O₃ powder phosphor has been prepared by easy combustion reactions from mixed metal nitrate reactants and urea with ignition temperatures of 500 °C. The as-synthesized powder was characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared techniques. The X-ray diffraction pattern reveals that the phosphor crystallized in the hexagonal α-Al₂O₃ phase directly from the combustion reaction. The EPR spectrum exhibits an intense resonance signal with effective g value at g=3.33 along with a few weak resonance signals with effective g values at g=13.7, 2.34, 1.95, 1.49, and 1.26. The spin concentration (N) and its paramagnetic susceptibility (χ) have been evaluated. The excitation spectrum consists of two broad intense bands at 415 nm and 555 nm and are assigned to ⁴A_2g (F)→⁴T_1g (F) and ⁴A_2g (F)→⁴T_2g (F) transitions, respectively. The intense fluorescence peak around 691 nm is attributed to ²E _g →⁴A_2g transition of Cr³⁺ ion. By correlating EPR and optical data, the crystal field splitting parameter (Dq), Racah inter-electronic repulsion parameter (B) have been evaluated and discussed. The EPR and optical studies reveal that Cr³⁺ ions are occupying in Al³⁺ sites in octahedral coordination.     

Energy transfer and frequency upconversion in Yb3+–Er3+-doped PbO-GeO2 glass containing silver nanoparticles

We report the infrared-to-visible frequency upconversion in Er³⁺–Yb³⁺-codoped PbO-GeO₂ glass containing silver nanoparticles (NPs). The optical excitation is made with a laser at 980 nm in resonance with the ²F_5/2→²F_7/2 transition of Yb³⁺ ions. Intense emission bands centered at 525, 550, and 662 nm were observed corresponding to Er³⁺ transitions. The simultaneous influence of the Yb³⁺→Er³⁺ energy transfer and the contribution of the intensified local field effect due to the silver NPs give origin to the enhancement of the whole frequency upconversion spectra.     

Judd–Ofelt analysis and upconversion emission of Er3+–Yb3+ co-doped oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing LaF3 nanocrystals

Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped glasses and glass ceramics containing LaF₃ nanocrystals were prepared and their absorption spectra obtained. The Judd–Ofelt parameters Ω _t (t?=?2,?4,?6) for f–f transition of Er³⁺, as well as spontaneous emission probabilities, branching ratios and radiative lifetimes for stimulated emission of each band were determined. Addition of Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions into low-phonon energy LaF₃ nanocrystals makes the upconversion emission of Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped glass ceramic much stronger than that of Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped glass.     

Influence of γ-radiation on photoluminescence properties of YPO4:Eu3+,Ce3+ and YPO4:Dy3+,Ce3+ phosphors

Hexagonal YPO₄ phosphors doped with Eu³⁺/Dy³⁺ and co-doped with Ce³⁺ were synthesized by a hydrothermal route assisted using lauric acid as a capping agent. The prepared phosphors were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction and photoluminescence spectra. YPO₄: Eu³⁺ gives two red emission peaks at 587 and 610?nm corresponding to ⁵D₀→⁷F₁ and ⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transitions, respectively. YPO₄: Dy³⁺ exhibits two emission peaks at 485?nm (blue) and 575?nm (yellow) corresponding to ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2 transitions, respectively. Ce³⁺ ions enhanced the emission intensity as a co-dopant in both phosphors. Moreover, the effect of γ-radiation in the dose range 5–300?kGy on the photoluminescence behaviour of YPO₄:Eu³⁺,Ce³⁺ and YPO₄:Dy³⁺,Ce³⁺ was also investigated. Quenching of emission intensity, after irradiation at 5 and 300?kGy, was observed in both the phosphors due to loss of excess energy through a non-radiative relaxation process.     

Optical properties and upconversion in Yb3+—Tm3+ co-doped oxyfluoride glasses and glass ceramics

A theoretical study has explored the changes brought upon the electron density of the open (C_2v) and cyclic (D_3h) forms of ozone by protonation. Although protonation results in a strong deformation of the electron density of ozone with notably different charge distributions for the stable forms of O₃H⁺, the electric dipole polarizability is almost stable for the open protonated species. The polarizability of the cyclic form is less affected by protonation than that of the open one. The anisotropy of the dipole polarizability discriminates very clearly between open and closed protonated ozone. We expect the present findings to advance our understanding of the chemical reactivity of O₃H⁺.     

Structure and site selective luminescence of sol–gel derived Eu:Sr2SiO4

Strontium silicate (Sr₂SiO₄) samples doped with varying Eu³⁺content were prepared via sol–gel route and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy (AFM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS) and photoluminescence (PL) techniques. The synthesis temperature could be brought down to 600 °C for formation of a singe phase sample. The concentration of the dopant ion and the temperature of annealing were optimized for maximum PL intensity. The critical energy-transfer distance for the Eu³⁺ ions was evaluated based on which the quenching mechanism was verified to be a multipole–multipole interaction. Based on the time-resolved emission data (TRES), it was inferred that, two different types of Eu³⁺ ions were present in the matrix. The first type was a long lived species (τ=4.7 ms) present at 10-coordinated ‘Sr’sites and the other was a short lived species (τ=1.2 ms) present at the 9-coordinated ‘Sr’sites which gets selectively excited at 296 nm. Judd–Ofelt (J–O) intensity parameters for both the species were evaluated. The trend observed for the two species in the J–O parameters, Ω₂ and Ω₄ were different confirming their existence in two different environments. The color coordinates of the system were evaluated and plotted on a CIE index diagram. Commercial utility of the phosphor was investigated by comparing it with commercial red phosphor.     

Structural and optical characterization of sol–gel derived Tm-doped BaTiO3 nanopowders and ceramics

Nanocrystalline Tm³⁺(5%)-doped BaTiO₃ (BT-Tm) has been synthesized by the sol–gel method. The morphology, structure, and optical properties of powders and ceramics were characterized. The average grain size of the gel precursor annealed at 700 and 900 °C was 20 nm and 30 nm, respectively. These powders were single phase and crystallized with a cubic structure while the BT-Tm sintered ceramics were crystallized with the tetragonal BaTiO₃ structure. The photoluminescence spectra showed typical transitions of Tm³⁺ ions and a structure consistent with the Tm³⁺ ions incorporation in the BaTiO₃ crystalline lattice. Thermoluminescence peaks recorded at 300 °C (for annealed samples) or at 230 °C for the ceramic sample were assigned to the recombination of the Tm²⁺-electron traps located mainly at the surface of the nano-crystals or inside the microcrystals, respectively.     

Er3+单掺及Yb3+/Er3+双掺LaLiP4O12玻璃光谱性质研究

制备了Er3 +单掺杂及Yb3+/Er3+双掺杂四磷酸盐玻璃 ,测量了吸收光谱、荧光光谱 ,用McCumber理论计算Er3 +的发射截面 ,研究了其荧光特性、浓度猝灭及其机制、以及OH基对荧光强度和能量传递的影响 ,研究发现对四磷酸盐玻璃Yb3+的最佳浓度约为 1.82× 10 2 1ions/cm3,Er3+最佳浓度约为 0 .96× 10 2 0 ions/cm3。     

Abnormal upconversion luminescence from Yb3+ doped and Tb3+/Yb3+ codoped high silica glasses induced by intrinsic optical bistability

Upconversion luminescence (UCL) properties from Yb³⁺ doped and Tb³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped high silica glasses excited by a 980 nm laser diode are investigated. The ln–ln plots of the UCL intensity versus laser power show abnormal relations: the slopes are larger than those reported in other papers. When tuning the laser power up and down successively, intrinsic optical bistability of Yb³⁺ ions is observed at room temperature in the visible and infrared range without external cavity. And this nonlinear effect induces the abnormal UCL phenomena.