Infrared-to-visible upconversion in Er and Er/Yb activated Sb2O4 nanopowders prepared by sol-gel route

We prepared Er³⁺ doped and Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped Sb₂O₄ nanocrystals by the sol-gel method. The Raman, X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscope (TEM), and photoluminescence spectra of the samples were studied. The phonon energy of the Sb₂O₄ nanocrystals is very low (the maximum value being 461 cm⁻¹). The upconversion (UC) red emission of the Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ codoped sample is very strong at 975 nm laser diode excitation. The Sb₂O₄ nanocrystals will be a promising luminous material.     

The up-conversion properties of Yb and Er doped Y4Al2O9 phosphors

Er³⁺ doped and Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Y₄Al₂O₉ phosphors are prepared by the sol-gel method. The effect of dopant concentration on the structure and up-conversion properties is investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence, respectively. XRD pattern indicates that the sample structure belongs to monoclinic. Under 980 nm excitation, the green and red up-conversion emissions are observed and the emission intensities depended on the Yb³⁺ ion concentration. The green up-conversion emissions decrease with the increase of Yb³⁺ concentration, while red emission increases as Yb³⁺ concentration increases from 0 to 8 at% and then decreases at high Yb³⁺ concentration. The mechanisms of the up-conversion emissions are discussed and results shows that in Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped system, cross-relaxation (CR) and energy transfer (ET) processes play an important role for the green and red up-conversion emissions.     

Optical character of Er/Yb co-doped P2O5-CaO-Na2O-Al2O3-AgO phosphate glass

The up-conversion (UC) and near infrared (NIR) luminescence of Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ co-doped phosphate glass are investigated. In the UC emission range, the 523 nm, 546 nm green emissions and the 659 nm red emission are observed. With the increasing pump power, the intensity ratios of I₅₂₃/I₆₅₉, I₅₄₆/I₆₅₉ and I₅₂₃/I₅₄₆ increase gradually. The phenomenon is reasonably interpreted by theoretical analysis based on steady state rate equations. The emission cross section of the infrared emission at 1546 nm is larger (about 6.7 × 10^− 21 cm²), which is suitable for making fiber amplifier.     

Preparation and upconversion properties of Ba2ErF7 and Ba2ErF7:Yb powders

Novel Ba₂ErF₇ and Yb³⁺-doped Ba₂ErF₇ powders were synthesized by a coprecipitation method. In Ba₂ErF₇ sample, abundant upconverted emission bands from violet to infrared region are observed under 980 nm excitation, whereas only green and red emissions are observed under 812 nm excitation. Under the two excitations, the luminescence decay curves of the green and red emissions are measured and the quenching behaviors of Yb³⁺ doping are also explored. It is found that a suitable Yb³⁺ concentration can efficiently enhance the intensity ratio of the blue and violet emissions to the green and red ones, which may be due to the competition between the energy transfer process from Er³⁺ to Yb³⁺ and the sensitizing process from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺ in Ba₂ErF₇:Yb³⁺. This indicates that the Yb³⁺-doped Ba₂ErF₇ might be a good candidate for blue and violet upconversion phosphor.     

Infrared and visible emission of Er in combustion-synthesized CaAl2O4 phosphors

New near-infrared luminescent, monoclinic CaAl₂O₄:Er³⁺ phosphor was prepared by using the combustion route at furnace temperatures as low as 500 °C in a few minutes. Combustion synthesized phosphor has been well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) mapping studies. The luminescence spectra of Er³⁺-doped calcium aluminate were studied at UV (380 nm), vis (488 nm) and IR (980 nm) excitation. Upon UV and vis excitation, the CaAl₂O₄:Er³⁺ phosphor exhibits emission bands at ~523 nm and at ~547 nm, corresponding to transitions from the ²H_11/2 and ⁴S_3/2 erbium levels to the ⁴I_15/2 ground state. A strong luminescence at 1.55 μm in the infrared (IR) region due to ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transition has been observed in CaAl₂O₄:Er³⁺ phosphor upon 980 nm CW pumping. In the spectrum of IR-excited up-conversion luminescence, green (~523 and ~547 nm) and red (662 nm) luminescence bands were present, the latter associated with the ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ ions. Both excited state absorption and energy transfer may be proposed as processes responsible for the population of the ⁴S_3/2 and ⁴F_9/2 erbium levels upon IR excitation. The mechanisms responsible for the up-conversion luminescence are discussed.     

Synthesis and characterization of core-shell structured SiO2@YVO4:Yb,Er microspheres

In this paper, the core-shell structured SiO₂@YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ microspheres have been successfully prepared via a facile sol-gel process followed by a heat treatment. X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, energy disperse X-ray spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectra were used to characterize the samples. The results reveal that the SiO₂ spheres have been successfully coated by YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ phosphors to form core-shell structures and the size of obtained microspheres has a uniform distribution. Additionally, the samples exhibit bright green luminescence under the excitation of a 980 nm laser diode. The photoluminescence intensity increases with the number of coatings. These core-shell structured SiO₂@YVO₄:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ microspheres may have great potential in the fields of infrared detection and display devices.     

980 nm激发下Er3+/Yb3+共掺杂ZrO2-Al2O3粉末的上转换发光特性

通过固相反应法制备了Er³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺杂ZrO₂-Al₂O₃粉末的样品，并对样品在980nm激光激发下的上转换发光特性进行了研究.从发射光谱可以发现，在可见光范围内有3个强的发光带，一个位于654nm附近的红光带和两个分别位于545nm、525nm附近的绿光带，分别对应于Er³⁺离子的以下辐射跃迁：⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2、⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2、 ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2.其中又以Er³⁺离子的⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2跃迁产生的红色荧光辐射最强.对其上转换发光机制进行了分析，发现这三个发光过程都是双光子过程.对样品粉末进行了XRD检测，发现ZrO₂主要以立方相为主，并且计算得到了这种立方结构的晶格常数.Al₂O₃固溶于ZrO₂中，Al³⁺嵌入ZrO₂后产生氧空位，导致ZrO₂晶体的对称性降低，这种结构变化更有利于提高上转换效率，即上转换发光强度增强. 关键词： 3+/Yb³⁺')" href="#">Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ 上转换 2-Al₂O₃')" href="#">ZrO₂-Al₂O₃ 荧光 稀土     

Er3+，Er3+/Yb3+掺杂氟化镧超微材料的光谱特性与上转换发光

采用共沉淀法制备了Er³⁺掺杂和Er³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺杂LaF₃超微材料,所制备的样品的颗粒呈球形,尺寸为250nm左右.计算得到Er³⁺单掺杂样品中对应着⁴S_3/2和⁴F_9/2能级的发光量子效率分别为67.0%和71.9%.研究发现,随着Yb³⁺离子浓度的增加 关键词： 3+')" href="#">Er³⁺ 3+')" href="#">Yb³⁺ 发光 能量传递     

Up-conversion white light of Tm/Er/Yb tri-doped CaF2 phosphors

Tm³⁺/Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ tri-doped CaF₂ phosphors were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. The phosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), and up-conversion (UC) emission spectra. After annealing, the phosphors emitted white light under a 980 nm continuous wave diode laser (CW LD 2 W) excitation. As the excitation power density changed in the range of 20-260 W/cm², the chromaticity coordinates of the UC light of the phosphor Ca_0.885Tm_0.005Er_0.01Yb_0.1F₂ fell well in the white region of the 1931 CIE diagram. For the proportion of red, green and blue (RGB) in white light is strict, key factors for achieving UC white light, such as host materials, rare earth ions doping concentrations, annealing temperatures, as well as the excitation power densities, were investigated and discussed.     

Study on up-conversion emissions of Yb/Tm co-doped GdF3 and NaGdF4

The Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ co-doped GdF₃ and NaGdF₄ samples were synthesized through a combination method of a co-precipitation and an argon atmosphere annealing procedures. X-ray diffraction analysis indicated that the Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ co-doped GdF₃ sample crystallized well and was orthorhombic phase, and the Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ co-doped NaGdF₄ sample was hexagonal phase. With a 980-nm semiconductor continuous wave laser diode as the excitation source, the up-conversion emission spectra of the two samples in the wavelength range of 240-510 nm were recorded. In the up-conversion emissions of the samples, Yb³⁺ transferred energies to Tm³⁺ resulting in their ultraviolet, violet, and blue up-conversion emissions. And, Tm³⁺ simultaneously transferred energies to Gd³⁺, which finally resulted in ultraviolet up-conversion emissions of Gd³⁺. The study on the excitation power dependence of up-conversion fluorescence intensity indicated that there were multi-photon (three-, four-, five-, and six-) processes in the up-conversion emissions of the samples. And the up-conversion emissions of Gd³⁺ and Tm³⁺ in the Yb³⁺/Tm³⁺ co-doped GdF₃ and NaGdF₄ samples were compared studied, too.     

Er3+及Er3+/Yb3+掺杂ZrO2-Al2O3的制备及发光性质

采用共沉淀法制备了纳米晶ZrO₂-Al₂O₃∶Er³⁺发光粉体.所制备的粉体室温下具有Er3+离子特征荧光发射,主发射在绿光,其中位于547 nm、560 nm的绿光最强,并得出稀土离子与基质之间有能量传递.对不同煅烧温度下的样品研究表明:因不同温度下所制得的样品晶相不同.研究了纳米晶ZrO2-Al2O3∶Er3+及ZrO₂-Al₂O₃∶Er³⁺/Yb³⁺的上转换发光,并分析了上转换的跃迁机制.发现ZrO₂-Al₂O₃∶Er³⁺的绿光为双光子过程,而ZrO₂-Al₂O₃∶Er³⁺、Yb³⁺的上转换光谱中,红光和绿光也为双光子过程,而极弱的蓝光为三光子过程.讨论了Er³⁺的浓度猝灭现象.最适宜掺杂浓度的原子分数为2%（Er³⁺/Zr⁴⁺）.     

Intense ultraviolet upconversion luminescence of Yb and Tb co-doped glass ceramics containing SrF2 nanocrystals

The preparation and upconversion luminescence properties of the Yb³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped glass ceramics containing SrF₂ nanocrystals were investigated. The formation of SrF₂ nanocrystals was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Both microstructural and spectral analysis indicated that the Yb³⁺ and Tb³⁺ ions were enriched in the precipitated SrF₂ nanocrystals, which provide much lower phonon vibration energy than the glass matrix. Due to the efficient cooperative sensitization from Yb³⁺ to Tb³⁺ and the relatively low maximum phonon energy of SrF₂ nanocrystals, the Yb³⁺ and Tb³⁺ co-doped glass ceramics exhibited intense upconversion luminescence, including ultraviolet emission at 382 nm.     

Enhanced photoluminescence of Sm/Bi co-doped Gd2O3 phosphors by combustion synthesis

Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺ and Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺,Bi³⁺ powders were prepared by a combustion method. Their structures were determined using X-ray diffraction. UV-visible absorption and photoluminescence spectra were investigated for Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺ and Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺,Bi³⁺ at different annealing temperatures and different doping concentrations. The emission spectra of all samples presented the characteristic emission narrow lines arising from the ⁴G_5/2→⁶H_J transitions (J=5/2, 7/2, and 9/2) of Sm³⁺ ions upon excitation with UV irradiation. The emission intensity of Sm³⁺ ions was largely enhanced with introducing Bi³⁺ ions into Gd₂O₃:Sm³⁺ and the maximum occurred at a Bi³⁺ concentration of 0.5 mol%. The relevant mechanisms were discussed with the sensitization theory by Dexter and the aggregation behavior of Bi³⁺ ions.     

Y2O3:Yb3+,Tm3+纳米材料的可见及紫外上转换发光

通过燃烧法制备了Yb³⁺-Tm³⁺共掺的Y₂O₃纳米粉体,并对样品在980 nm激光照射下的上转换发光特性进行了研究.实验发现,样品在可见光区域能够产生强烈的蓝色发光(476 nm和487 nm)和较弱的红色发光(约650 nm),而且同时观察到了两个紫外发光峰¹I₆→³H₆ (~297 nm)和^{1关键词： 2O₃:Yb3+')" href="#">Y₂O₃:Yb3+ 3+}')" href="#">Tm³⁺ 上转换光谱 敏化 紫外发光     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of nanocrystalline Gd2O3:Eu by combustion process

The nanocrystalline Gd₂O₃:Eu³⁺ powders with cubic phase were prepared by a combustion method in the presence of urea and glycol. The effects of the annealing temperature on the crystallization and luminescence properties were studied. The results of XRD show pure phase can be obtained, the average crystallite size could be calculated as 7, 8, 15, and 23 nm for the precursor and samples annealed at 600, 700 and 800 °C, respectively, which coincided with the results from TEM images. The emission intensity, host absorption and charge transfer band intensity increased with increasing the temperature. The slightly broad emission peak at 610 nm for smaller particles can be observed. The ratio of host absorption to O²⁻-Eu³⁺ charge transfer band of smaller nanoparticles is much stronger compared with that for larger nanoparticles, furthermore, the luminescence lifetimes of nanoparticles increased with increasing particles size. The effects of doping concentration of Eu³⁺ on luminescence lifetimes and intensities were also discussed. The samples exhibited a higher quenching concentration of Eu³⁺, and luminescence lifetimes of nanoparticles are related to annealing temperature of samples and the doping concentration of Eu³⁺ ions.     

Structural and optical properties of Er, Yb co-doped Y2O3 thin films

Thin Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ co-doped Y₂O₃ films were grown on (1 0 0) YAG substrates by pulsed laser deposition. Ceramic targets having different active ion concentration were used for ablation. The influence of the rare-earth content and oxygen pressure applied during the deposition on the structural, morphological and optical properties of the films were investigated. The films deposited at the lower pressure, 1 Pa, and at 1/10 Er to Yb doping ratio are highly textured along the (1 1 1) direction of the Y₂O₃ cubic phase. In addition to the crystalline structure, these films possess smoother surface compared to those prepared at the higher pressure, 10 Pa. All other films are polycrystalline, consisting of cubic and monoclinic phases of Y₂O₃. The rougher surface of the films produced at the higher-pressure leads to higher scattering losses and different behavior of the reflectivity spectra. Optical anisotropy in the films of less than 0.004 was measured regardless of the monoclinic structure obtained. Waveguide losses of about 1 dB/cm at 633 nm were obtained for the films produced at the lower oxygen pressure.     

Role of Al2O3 in upconversion and NIR emission in Tm and Er codoped calcium fluoro phosphorous silicate glass system

In this study, the principal role of Al₂O₃ on the features of the photoluminescence spectra of Tm³⁺ ion and upconversion phenomenon in Tm³⁺ and Er³⁺ codoped CaF₂−Al₂O₃−P₂O₅−SiO₂ glass system has been investigated. The concentration of Al₂O₃ is varied from 2 to 10 mol% while that of Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ is fixed. IR and Raman spectral studies have indicated that there is a gradual increase in the degree of disorder in the glass network with increase in the concentration of Al₂O₃ up to 6.0 mol%. This is attributed to the presence of Al³⁺ ions in octahedral positions in larger proportions. When the glasses are doped with Tm³⁺ ions, the blue and red emissions were observed, whereas in Er³⁺ doped glasses blue, green and red emissions were observed. When the glasses are codoped with Tm³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions and excited at 790 nm, all the three emission lines were observed to be reinforced, especially in the glasses mixed with 6.0 mol% of Al₂O₃. The IR emission band detected at about 1.8 μm due to ³F₄→³H₆ transition of Tm³⁺ ions is also observed to be strengthened due to codoping. The reasons for enhancement in the intensity of various emission bands due to codoping have been identified and discussed with the help of rate equations for various emission transitions.     

Investigation of up-conversion luminescence properties of RE/Yb co-doped Y2O3 transparent ceramic (RE=Er, Ho, Pr, and Tm)

RE/Yb co-doped Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics (RE=Er, Ho, Pr, Tm) were fabricated and characterized from the point of up-conversion luminescence. All the samples exhibit high transparence not only in near-infrared band (NIR) band but also in visible region, which ensures the output of the up-conversion luminescence. Under 980 nm excitation, green and red emissions were observed in Er, Yb:Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic, while green emission was detected in Ho, Yb and Pr, Yb co-doped Y₂O₃ transparent ceramics. In Tm, Yb co-doped Y₂O₃ ceramic, very intense blue up-conversion luminescence was detected. The dependence of up-conversion emission intensity on the pumping power was measured for each RE/Yb co-doped Y₂O₃ transparent ceramic, and the up-conversion mechanism was discussed in detail. Meanwhile, the energy transfer efficiency was calculated.     

Enhancement of upconversion luminescence in Tm/Er/Yb-codoped glass ceramic containing LiYF4 nanocrystals

A transparent Er³⁺–Tm³⁺–Yb³⁺ tri-doped oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing LiYF₄ nanocrystals were prepared. Under 980 nm laser diode (LD) pumping, intensive red, green and blue upconversion (UC) was obtained. The blue, green, and red UC radiations correspond to the transitions ¹G₄→³H₆ of Tm³⁺, ²H_11/2/⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺ ions, respectively. This is similar to that in Tm³⁺–Yb³⁺ and/or Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped glass ceramics. However, the blue UC radiations of the Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped glass ceramics is two-photon process due to cooperative energy transfer. The UC mechanisms were proposed based on spectral, kinetic, and pump power dependence analyses.     

Enhanced optical activation of Er in Er-doped Al2O3 powders by Y codoping in a sol-gel method

Enhanced photoluminescence (PL) mechanism of Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ powders by Y³⁺ codoping at wavelength 1.53 μm has been investigated through PL measurements of 0.1 mol% Er³⁺- and 0-20 mol% Y³⁺-codoped Al₂O₃ powders prepared at a sintering temperature of 900 °C in a non-aqueous sol-gel method. PL intensity and lifetime of Er³⁺-Y³⁺-codoped Al₂O₃ powders composed of γ-(Al,Er,Y)₂O₃ and θ-(Al,Er,Y)₂O₃ phases increased with increasing Y³⁺-codoping concentration. The 10-20 mol% Y³⁺ codoping in 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ powders intensified the PL intensity by about 20 times, with a PL lifetime prolonged from 3.5 to 5.8 ms. A maximal increase of the optical activity of Er³⁺ in 0.1 mol% Er³⁺-Y³⁺-codoped Al₂O₃ powders about one order was achieved by 10-20 mol% Y³⁺ codoping. It is found that the improved PL properties for Er³⁺-Y³⁺-codoped Al₂O₃ powders are mainly attributed to enhanced optical activation of Er³⁺ in the Al₂O₃ by Y³⁺ codoping, and to the slightly increased radiative quantum efficiency of Er³⁺ in the Al₂O₃.