Structural and up-conversion luminescence properties in Tm3+/Yb3+-codoped heavy metal oxide-halide glasses

Tm3+/Yb3+-codoped heavy metal oxide-halide glasses have been synthesized by conventional melting and quenching method. Structural properties were obtained based on the Raman spectra, indicating that halide ion has an important influence on the phonon density and maximum phonon energy of host glasses. Intense blue and weak red emissions centered at 477 and 650 nm, corresponding to the transitions 1G4-->3H6 and 1G4-->3H4, respectively, were observed at room temperature. The possible up-conversion mechanisms are discussed and estimated. With increasing halide content, the up-conversion luminescence intensity and blue luminescence lifetimes of Tm3+ ion increase notably. Our results show that with the substitution of halide ion for oxygen ion, the decrease of phonon density and maximum phonon energy of host glasses both contribute to the enhanced up-conversion emissions.     

Intense blue up-conversion luminescence in Tm3+/Yb3+ codoped oxyfluoride glass-ceramics containing beta-PbF2 nanocrystals

Up-conversion luminescence properties of a Tm3+/Yb3+ codoped oxyfluoride glass-ceramics under 980 nm excitation are investigated. Intense blue emission centered at 476 nm, corresponding to 1G4-->3H6 transitions of Tm3+ was simultaneously observed in the transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics at room temperature. The intensity of the blue up-conversion luminescence in a 1 mol% YbF3-containing glass-ceramic was found to be about 40 times stronger than that in the precursor oxyfluoride glass. The reason for the intense Tm3+ up-conversion luminescence in the oxyfluoride glass-ceramics is discussed. The dependence of up-conversion intensities on excitation power and possible up-conversion mechanism are also evaluated.     

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.     

Yb3+/Tm3+掺杂的NaY(WO4)2纳米晶的制备及发光特性

以聚乙二醇为配位剂,用水热法制备出纳米级上转换发光粉Yb3+和Tm3+共掺杂的NaY(WO4)2。研究了不同cYb/cTm对上转换发光强度的影响,实验表明当cYb/cTm=5∶1时,上转换发光强度最强。用XRD,SEM确定了Yb3+和Tm3+共掺杂的NaY(WO4)2是四方晶系,其粒径在25~35 nm范围,且分散均匀。用980 nm半导体激光器(LD)对其进行激发,在室温下观察到了365 nm附近紫外发射峰、456 nm,476 nm附近的蓝光发射峰和648 nm附近的红光发射峰,分别对应于Tm3+离子的1D2→3H6,1D2→3F4,1G4→3H6和1G4→3F4的跃迁。根据泵浦功率与发光强度的关系得出紫外发射峰、蓝光和红光发射均为双光子过程。     

Up-conversion luminescence analysis in ytterbium-sensitized erbium-doped oxide-halide tellurite and germanate-niobic-lead glasses

Ytterbium-sensitized erbium-doped oxide-halide tellurite and germanate-niobic-lead glasses have been synthesized by conventional melting method. 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 simultaneously observed at room temperature in these glasses. The quadratic dependence of the 525, 546 and 657 nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs. Tellurite glass showed a weaker up-conversion emission than germanate-niobic-lead glass, which is inconsistent with the prediction from the difference of maximum phonon energy between tellurite and germanate-niobic-lead glasses. In this paper, Raman spectroscopy was employed to investigate the origin of the difference in up-conversion luminescence in the two glasses. Compared with phonon side-band spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy extracts more information including both phonon energy and phonon density. Our results reveal that the phonon density and the maximum phonon energy of host glasses are both important factors in determining the up-conversion efficiency.     

Upconversion properties of Er3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses

Er3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses emitting blue, green and red upconversion luminescence at 970 nm laser diode excitation were studied. It was shown that Tm3+ behaves as the sensitizer to Er3+ for the green upconversion luminescence through the energy transfer process: Tm3+:3H4+Er3+:4I 15/2-->Er3+:4I 9/2+Tm3+:3H6, and for the red upconversion luminescence through the energy transfer process: Tm3+:3F4+Er3+:4I 11/2-->Tm3+:3H6+Er3+:4F 9/2. Moreover, Er3+ acts as quenching center for the blue upconversion luminescence of Tm3+. The sensitization of Tm3+ to Er3+ depends on the concentration of Yb3+. The intensity of blue, green and red emissions can be changed by adjusting the concentrations of the three kinds of rare earth ions. This research may provide useful information for the development of high color and spatial resolution devices and white light simulation.     

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+).     

Effect of OH on upconversion luminescence of Er-doped oxyhalide tellurite glasses

The Raman spectra, infrared spectra and upconversion luminescence spectra were studied, and the effect mechanism of OH⁻ groups on the upconversion luminescence of Er³⁺-doped oxyhalide tellurite glasses was analyzed. The results show that the phonon energy of lead chloride tellurite (PCT) glass was lower than that of lead fluoride tellurite (PFT) glass, but upconversion luminescence intensity of Er³⁺-doped PFT glass was higher than that of Er³⁺-doped PCT glass. The analysis considers that it was attributed mainly to the effect of OH⁻ groups. The lower the absorption coefficient of the OH⁻ groups, the higher the fluorescence lifetime of Er³⁺, and as a result the higher upconversion luminescence intensity of Er³⁺. In this work, the effect of OH⁻ groups on the upconversion luminescence of Er³⁺ was bigger than that of the phonon energy.     

A spectroscopic analysis of blue and ultraviolet upconverted emissions from Gd3Ga5O12:Tm3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals

The spectroscopic behavior of gadolinium gallium garnet (Gd3Ga5O12, GGG) nanocrystals codoped with 1% each of Tm3+ and Yb3+ prepared via a solution combustion synthesis procedure was investigated. Initial excitation of the codoped nanocrystals with 465.8 nm (into the 1G4 state) showed a dominant blue-green emission ascribed to the 1G4-3H6 transition as well as red and NIR emissions from the 1G4-3F4 and 1G4-3H5/3H4-3H6 transitions, respectively. Excitation at this wavelength (465.8 nm) showed the existence of a Tm3+ --> Yb3+ energy transfer process evidenced by the presence of the 2F5/2-2F7/2 Yb3+ emission in the NIR emission spectrum. The decay time constants proved that the transfer of energy occurred via the 3H4 state. Following excitation of the Yb3+ ion with 980 nm, intense upconverted emission was observed. Emissions in the UV (1D2-3H6), blue (1D2-3F4), blue-green (1G4-3H6), red (1G4-3F4), and NIR (1G4-3H5/3H4-3H6) were observed and were the direct result of subsequent transfers of energy from the Yb3+ ion to the Tm3+ ion. Power dependence studies showed a deviation from expected values for the number of photons involved in the upconversion thus indicating a saturation of the upconversion process. An energy transfer efficiency of 0.576 was determined experimentally.     

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.     

Highly uniform and monodisperse beta-NaYF(4):Ln(3+) (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprism crystals: hydrothermal synthesis and luminescent properties

beta-NaYF4:Ln3+ (Ln = Eu, Tb, Yb/Er, and Yb/Tm) hexagonal microprisms with remarkably uniform morphology and size have been synthesized via a facile hydrothermal route. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), and photoluminescence (PL) spectra as well as kinetic decays were used to characterize the samples. It is found that sodium citrate as a shape modifier introduced into the reaction system plays a critical role in the shape evolution of the final products. Furthermore, the shape and size of the products can be further manipulated by adjusting the molar ratio of citrate/RE3+ (RE represents the total amount of Y3+ and the doped rare earth elements such as Eu3+, Tb3+, Yb3+/Er3+, or Yb3+/Tm3+). Under the excitation of 397 nm ultraviolet light, NaYF4:xEu3+ (x = 1.5, 5%) shows the emission lines of Eu3+ corresponding to 5D0-3 --> 7FJ (J = 0-4) transitions from 400 to 700 nm (whole visible spectral region) with different intensity, resulting in yellow and red down-conversion (DC) light emissions, respectively. When doped with 5% Tb3+ ions, the strong DC fluorescence corresponding to 5D4 --> 7FJ (J = 6, 5, 4, 3) transitions with 5D4 --> 7F5 (green emission at 544 nm) being the most prominent group that has been observed. In addition, under 980 nm laser excitation, the Yb3+/Er3+- and Yb3+/Tm3+-codoped beta-NaYF4 samples exhibit bright green and whitish blue up-conversion (UC) luminescence, respectively. The luminescence mechanisms for the doped lanthanide ions were thoroughly analyzed.     

一种上转换白光荧光粉的制备与发光性能研究

采用高温固相法制备了上转换白光荧光粉AlF3-YbF3:Er3+/Tm3+。通过XRD物相分析可知:上转换白光荧光粉AlF3-YbF3:Er3+/Tm3+是由三方AlF3相和正交YbF3相组成;利用发射光谱研究了该荧光粉的上转换发光性能,并且分析了当固定Er3+离子掺杂浓度时,Tm3+离子掺杂浓度对上转换白光荧光粉AlF3-YbF3:Er3+/Tm3+色度的影响,进而提出其上转换能量传递机制。结果表明:在980 nm激光激发下,波长为410 nm的紫光峰、550 nm的绿光峰和660 nm的红光峰分别对应于荧光粉中Er3+离子的2H9/2→4I15/2,4S3/2→4I15/2和4F9/2→4I15/2能级的跃迁,而波长为360 nm的紫外光峰、450 nm的蓝光峰、700 nm的红光峰,分别对应于荧光粉中Tm3+离子的1D2→3H6,1G4→3H6和1G4→3F4能级的跃迁,Er3+离子发出的光与Tm3+离子发出的光最终混合成色坐标为x=0.32,y=0.36的白光。此外,通过980 nm半导体激光器和EPM 2000 Dual-channel Joulemeter/Power meter测得该荧光粉最大上转换效率为6.90%。     

Spectral analysis of Mn2+, Co2+ and Ni2+: B2O3-ZnO-PbO glasses

This paper reports on the spectral properties of Mn2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ ions doped B2O3-ZnO-PbO glasses. XRD, FT-IR spectra and DSC profiles of these glasses have also been carried out, and the FT-IR profiles have shown the presence of both BO3 and BO4 units. It is interesting to notice that the FT-IR peak positions are slightly shifted towards higher energy with an increase in transition metal ion concentration change. From the measured DSC thermograms, glass transition (T(g)), crystallization (T(c)) and temperature of melting (T(m)) have been evaluated. From the UV absorption spectra of Mn2+, Co2+ and Ni2+ ions doped glasses, both direct and indirect optical band gaps have been calculated. The visible absorption spectra of Mn2+:glasses have shown a broad absorption band at 520 nm (6A1g(S) --> 4T1g(G)); with Co2+ ions one absorption band at 605 nm (4A2(4F) --> 4T1(4P)) and another at 1450 nm (4A2(4F) --> 4T1(4F)); and for Ni2+:glasses three absorption bands at 420 nm (3A2g(F) --> 3T1g(P)), 805 nm (3A2g(F) --> 1Eg(D)) and 880 nm (3A2g(F) --> 3T1g(F)) have been observed. For Mn2+:glasses, upon excitation with 262 nm, a green emission (539 nm) with a slight blue shift; and with 392 nm, a green emission (534 nm) with a slight red shift with Mn2+ ions concentration change (0.2-0.5 mol%) has been observed. This green emission has been assigned to (4T1(G) --> 6A1(S)) d-d transition of Mn2+ ions that are in tetrahedral co-ordination. For 0.5 mol% Co2+ ions doped glass, upon excitation with 580 nm, a red emission (625 nm) has been observed which originates from 2E(2G) --> 4A2(4F) transition of Co2+ ions in tetrahedral co-ordination. For Ni2+ ions doped glasses upon excitation with 420 nm, a green (577 nm) and red (670 nm) emissions are observed and are assigned to (1T2g(D) --> 3A2g(F)) and (1T2g(D) --> 3T2g(F)) d-d transitions of Ni2+ ions in octahedral co-ordination.     

Er-doped lead borate glasses and transparent glass ceramics for near-infrared luminescence and up-conversion applications

Lead borate based glasses have been analyzed using Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The formation of different borate groups and the direction of BO3 <--> BO4 conversion strongly depends on the PbO- and/or PbF2-to-B2O3 ratio in chemical composition. PbF2-PbO-B2O3 based glasses containing Er3+ ions have been studied after annealing. The orthorhombic PbF2 crystallites are formed during thermal treatment, which was evidenced by X-ray diffraction analysis. Near-infrared luminescence at 1530 nm and green up-conversion at 545 nm have been registered for samples before and after annealing. The luminescence bands correspond to 4I13/2-4I15/2 and 4S3/2-4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions, respectively. In comparison to the precursor glasses, the luminescence intensities are higher in the studied transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics. Simultaneously, the half-width of the luminescence lines slightly decreases. It can be the evidence that a small amount of the Er3+ ions is incorporated into the orthorhombic PbF2 phase.     

Thermal stability and spectroscopic properties of Er3+-doped antimony-borosilicate glasses

This paper reports on the optical spectroscopic properties and thermal stability of Er(3+)-doped antimony-borosilicate glasses for developing 1.5mum optical amplifiers. Upon excitation at 980nm laser diode, an intense 1.5mum infrared fluorescence has been observed with the maximum full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 90nm for Er(3+)-doped antimony-borosilicate glasses. The emission cross-section and the lifetime of the (4)I(13/2) level of Er(3+) ions are 6.3x10(-21)cm(2) and 0.30ms, respectively. It is noted that the product of the emission cross-section and FWHM of the glass studied is as great as 567x10(-21)cm(2)nm, which is comparable or higher than that of bismuthate and tellurite glasses.     

Highly efficient blue up-conversion of Tm in Nd–Yb–Tm co-doped ZrF4-based fluoride glass

Up-conversion luminescence and energy-transfer processes in Nd³⁺, Yb³⁺ and Tm³⁺ co-doped ZrF₄-based fluoride glasses have been studied under 800 nm light excitation. Blue up-converted emission around 478 nm which can be assigned to the Tm³⁺:¹G₄→³H₆ transition, was strongly observed. Up-conversion luminescence intensity exhibited an YbF₃-concentration dependence. Among the Nd³⁺, Yb³⁺ and Tm³⁺, Nd³⁺ and Tm³⁺ have ground state absorption bands due to the (²H_9/2,⁴F_5/2)←⁴I_9/2 and ³F₄←³H₆ transitions, respectively, which can be directly pumped by 800 nm radiation. However, no emissions were observed in Tm³⁺ singly-doped and Tm³⁺–Yb³⁺ doubly-doped glasses under 800 nm excitation. Therefore, a possible up-conversion mechanism may be proposed as follows: energy-transfer firstly occurs from Nd³⁺ to Yb³⁺ when Nd³⁺ is excited by 800 nm light, then the energy is transferred from Yb³⁺ to Tm³⁺ which is in the excited state and, finally, blue up-conversion emission of Tm³⁺ is observed through the Tm³⁺:¹G₄→³H₆ transition.     

Thermal and optical properties of Tm3+ doped tellurite glasses

Ultraviolet, visible (UV/VIS) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) measurements were carried out in order to investigate the optical and thermal properties of various 0.5 mol.% Tm2O3 containing (1 - x)TeO2 + xLiCl glasses in molar ratio. The samples were prepared by fusing the mixture of their respective reagent grade powders in a platinum cricuble at 750 degrees C for 30 min. DTA curves taken in the 23-600 degrees C temperature range with a heating rate of 10 degrees C/min reveal a change in the value of the glass transition temperature, Tg, while melting was not observed for the glasses containing LiCl content less than 50 mol.%. These glasses were found to be moisture-resistant. However, the glasses with LiCl content higher than 50 mol.%, in which a melting peak was observed at Tc = 401 degrees C, were moisture-sensitive. Absorption measurements in the UV/VIS region of the glasses without Tm2O3 content show that the Urbach cutoff occurs at about 320 nm and, is relatively independent of the LiCl content. Six absorption bands were observed in the Tm2O3 doped glasses corresponding to the absorption of the 1G4, 3F2, 3F3 and 3F4, 3H5 and 3H4 levels from the 3H6 ground level of Tm3+ ions. The spectra also show that the integrated absorption cross-section of each band depends on the glass composition. Judd-Ofelt theory was used to determine the Judd-Ofelt parameters as well as the radiative transition probabilities for the metastable levels of Tm3+ ions in (0.3)LiCl + (0.7) TeO2: 0.01 Tm2O3 glass which is moisture-resistant.     

Enhancement of luminescence properties in Er3+ doped TeO2-Na2O-PbX (X=O and F) ternary glasses

An enhancement of luminescence properties in Er3+ doped ternary glasses is observed on the addition of PbO/PbF2. The infrared to visible upconversion emission bands are observed at 410, 525, 550 and 658 nm, due to the 2H9/2-->4I15/2, 2H11/2-->4I15/2, 4S3/2-->4I15/2, 4F9/2-->4I15/2 transitions respectively, on excitation with 797 nm laser line. A detailed study reveals that the 2H9/2-->4I15/2 transition arises due to three step upconversion process while other transitions arise due to two step absorption. On excitation with 532 nm radiation, ultraviolet and violet upconversion bands centered at 380, 404, 410 and 475 nm wavelengths are observed along with one photon luminescence bands at 525, 550, 658 and 843 nm wavelengths. These bands are found due to the 4G11/2-->4I15/2, 2P3/2-->4I13/2, 2H9/2-->4I15/2, 2P3/2-->4I11/2, 2H11/2-->4I15/2, 4S3/2-->4I15/2, 4F9/2-->4I15/2 and 4S3/2-->4I13/2 transitions, respectively. Though incorporation of PbO and PbF2 both enhances fluorescence intensities however, PbF2 content has an important influence on upconversion luminescence emission. The incorporation of PbF2 enhances the red emission (658 nm) intensity by 1.5 times and the violet emission (410 nm) intensity by 2.0 times. A concentration dependence study of fluorescence reveals the rapid increase in the red (4F9/2-->4I15/2) emission intensity relative to the green (4S3/2-->4I15/2) emission with increase in the Er3+ ion concentration. This behaviour has been explained in terms of an energy transfer by relaxation between excited ions.     

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.     

Colour tuneability and white light generation in Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Ho<Superscript>3+</Superscript>–Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript>–LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript> nano-glass-ceramics prepared by sol–gel method

Nanostructured transparent glass-ceramics with composition of 95SiO₂–5LaF₃ co-doped with 0.3Yb³⁺, 0.1Ho³⁺ and 0.1Tm³⁺ (mol%) were synthesized by thermal treatment of precursor sol–gel derived glasses. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis point out the precipitation of hexagonal LaF₃ nanocrystals with diameter ranging from 11 to 20 nm in these nano-glass-ceramics. White light generation by means of efficient blue, green and red up-conversion luminescence under infrared excitation at 980 nm was observed and involved mechanisms were analyzed. Colour tuneability is achieved by varying the up-conversion emission ratios as a function of pump power.