Abnormal Raman spectra in Er‐doped BaTiO3 ceramics

Greatly enhanced and abnormal Raman spectra were discovered in the nominal (Ba_{1 − x}Er_x)Ti_{1 − x/4}O₃ (x = 0.01) (BET) ceramic for the first time and investigated in relation to the site occupations of Er³⁺ ions. BaTiO₃ doped with Ti‐site Er³⁺ mainly exhibited the common Raman phonon modes of the tetragonal BaTiO₃. Er³⁺ ions substituted for Ba sites are responsible for the abnormal Raman spectra, but the formation of defect complexes will decrease spectral intensity. A large increase in intensity showed a hundredfold selectivity for Ba‐site Er³⁺ ions over Ti‐site Er³⁺ ions. A strong EPR signal at g = 1.974 associated with ionized Ba vacancy defects appeared in BET, and the defect chemistry study indicated that the real formula of BET is expressed by (Ba_{1 − x}Er_3x/4)(Ti_{1 − x/4}Er_x/4)O₃. These abnormal Raman signals were verified to originate from a fluorescent effect corresponding to ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transition of Ba‐site Er³⁺ ions. The fluorescent signals were so intense that they overwhelmed the traditional Raman spectra of BaTiO₃. The significance is that the abnormal Raman spectra may act as a probe for the Ba‐site Er³⁺ occupation in BaTiO₃ co‐doped with Er³⁺ and other dopants. A new broad EPR signal at g = 2.23 was discovered, which originated from Er³⁺ Kramers ions. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Structure and photoluminescence properties of Er3+-doped TiO2-SiO2 powders prepared by sol-gel method

Er 3+-doped TiO 2-SiO 2 powders are prepared by the sol-gel method,and they are characterized by high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM),X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra,and Raman spectra of the samples.It is shown that the TiO 2 nanocrystals are surrounded by an SiO 2 glass matrix.The photoluminescence (PL) spectra are recorded at room temperature.A strong green luminescence and less intense red emission are observed in the samples when they are excited at 325 nm.The intensity of the emission,which is related to the defect states,is strongest at the annealing temperature of 800 C.The PL intensity of Er 3+ ions increases with increasing Ti/Si ratio due to energy transfer between nano-TiO 2 particles and Er 3+ ions.     

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.     

The temperature dependence of the Raman spectra of chromium‐doped titanite (CaTiOSiO4)

The temperature dependence of the Raman bands of Cr⁴⁺ modes which show enhanced intensities due to pre‐resonance effects is reported from 293 to 673 K in chromium‐doped titanite (CaTiOSiO₄). Some aspects of the temperature dependence of Raman bands in pure, synthetic titanite which have not been previously published are also included in this study. Two Raman‐active components of A_g and B_g symmetry, respectively, of the symmetric Si–O mode in titanite are predicted under P2₁/a symmetry and also been identified in this phase for the first time. The one component of B_g symmetry disappears just above the antiferroelectric–paraelectric transition at ~500 K in accordance with the predictions under A2/a symmetry for the high‐temperature phase. Two resonance‐enhanced components of the Cr⁴⁺–O stretch are also evident in the P2₁/a phase and only one could be identified in the A2/a phase, again in accordance with group‐theoretical predictions. These observations can be used to characterize the P2₁/a and A2/a phases of pure synthetic and chromium‐doped titanite. The temperature dependence of the Cr⁴⁺–O modes can be approximated by two‐dimensional Ising behavior with the critical exponent β ≈ 1/8 below 450 K. Between 450 and 498 K, anomalous behavior is observed and this could be due to the appearance of mobile anti‐phase boundaries (APBs). Anomalous behavior also persists to temperatures above 500 K. The half‐width of the Ti–O stretching mode reflects the influence of the order parameter (Ti–O displacements) as well as mobile anti‐phase boundaries. No evidence could be found of the existence of other ions such as Cr⁴⁺‐ions in Ti‐sites and/or Cr³⁺‐ions also in Ti‐positions in Cr‐doped titanite in the Raman spectra using different laser lines to excite the spectra. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Enhancement of the upconversion photoluminescence intensity in Li and Er codoped Y2O3 nanocrystals

Infrared-to-visible upconversion luminescence spectra are investigated in Li⁺ and Er³⁺ codoped Y₂O₃ nanocrystals. By introducing Li⁺ ions, the upconverted emission intensity is found to be greatly enhanced when compared with the nanocrystals with the Li⁺ absent. The cause of the enhancement is believed to be the modification of the local symmetry of the Er³⁺ ion, which increases the intra-4f transitions of Er³⁺ ion, and the homogeneous distribution of Er³⁺. While in some other Er³⁺ doped oxides, such as ZnO, ZrO₂, etc., the upconversion intensity of Er³⁺ ions could also be greatly increased by doping Li⁺.     

The effect of Er3+-ion concentration on the Er3+ : 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition in tellurite glasses

The effect of Er³⁺ concentration on the Er³⁺?:?⁴I_13/2?→?⁴I_15/2 emission in tellurite glasses has been investigated. The full width at half-maximum increased with the increasing concentration of Er₂O₃ in tellurite glasses. The effect of local structure of Er³⁺ ions and related spectroscopic changes are taken into account to explain the line broadening. Inhomogeneous broadening due to the distribution of crystal field around the Er³⁺ ion has little effect on the absorption spectra. Highly efficient energy trapping between the ions was identified from the time-resolved analysis of the fluorescence decay and is found to be responsible for the extended lifetime at intermediate concentrations of Er³⁺ ions in tellurite glasses. The effect of temperature on spectral line shape has been determined for analysing the contribution of Boltzmann population on line broadening. The increased population of the overlying Stark sublevels at the ⁴I_13/2 energy level via direct pumping and/or interaction between Er³⁺ ions were also found to be significant for enhancement in spectral line shape at higher concentrations of Er³⁺ ions in tellurite glasses. It was observed that at higher concentrations of Er³⁺ ions in glass also enhance the local symmetry of ions, which is apparent from the absorption band of the Er³⁺?:?⁴I_15/2?→?²H_11/2 hypersensitive transition.     

Energy Back Transfer Induced Color Controllable Upconversion Emissions in La2MoO6:Er3+/Yb3+ Nanocrystals for Versatile Applications

Color controllable Er³⁺/Yb³⁺‐codoped La₂MoO₆ upconverting nanocrystals are successfully synthesized via a facile sol‐gel method. Under the irradiation of 980 nm light, the entire samples exhibit dazzling upconversion (UC) emissions arising from the intra‐4f transitions of Er³⁺ ions and the UC emission intensity is strongly dependent on the Yb³⁺ ion concentration. Moreover, by controlling the Yb³⁺ ion concentration, the emission color is changed from green to yellow and finally to red as a result of the energy back transfer from Er³⁺ to Yb³⁺ ions, which is further verified by the theoretically discussion based on the steady‐state rate expressions. The optical thermometric properties of the prepared nanocrystals based on the (²H_11/2,⁴S_3/2) thermally coupled levels of Er³⁺ ions are systematically studied by analyzing the temperature‐dependent green UC emission spectra in the range of 303–663 K. The maximum sensor sensitivity of resultant nanocrystals is determined to be 0.0083 K⁻¹ at 510 K. Furthermore, the emitting color of the synthesized nanocrystals relies on the temperature. In addition, the heating effect induced by the excitation pump power is also investigated and the host lattice temperature is enhanced from 319 to 404 K with raising the pump power from 159 to 757 mW.     

Absorption and emission characteristics of Er3NbO7 phosphor: A comparison with ErNbO4 phosphor and Er:LiNbO3 single crystal

Er₃NbO₇ phosphor was synthesized by sintering a mixture of Er₂O₃ and Nb₂O₅ powder in a molar ratio of 3:1 at 1600 °C over 55 h. Optical absorption and emission characteristics of Er³⁺ ions in the calcined Er₃NbO₇ powder were investigated and discussed compared with ErNbO₄ phosphor and a Z-cut congruent Er (2 mol%):LiNbO₃ single crystal. The absorption and emission studies show that, due to different crystal structures, the spectroscopic properties of these niobates have some differences in spectral shape, peak position, and relative intensity, especially at 1.5 μm. The most obvious spectral feature of the Er₃NbO₇ is that the spectral structure of band instead of peak is observed in its absorption or emission spectrum due to the existence of local structural disorder and multiple Er³⁺ sites. The Er₃NbO₄ shows stronger upconversion emission than the single crystal but weaker than the ErNbO₄. Experimental results show that energy transfer upconversion and/or excited state absorption play a dominant role in the upconversion emissions, and, at higher pump level (>200 mW), the thermal effect becomes significant and results in drop of the upconversion intensity. The 1.5 μm lifetimes of Er³⁺ ion in the Er₃NbO₇, ErNbO₄ phosphor, and in the Er:LiNbO₃ crystal are measured to be ∼5.3, 2.0, and 2.4 ms, respectively. In combination with the measured Raman spectra, the quantum efficiency, multiphonon nonradiative decay rate, and theoretical radiative lifetime of the 1.5 μm emission of the two powder materials are expected. The differences in upconversion intensity and measured 1.5 μm lifetime between the three materials are explained qualitatively.     

Unusual Ln substitutional defects: The local chemical environment of Eu and Er in nanocrystalline Nb2O5 by Ln-K edge EXAFS

The local chemical environment of the trivalent lanthanide cations in Nb₂O₅ nanopowders doped with 1 mol% of Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺, prepared via a Pechini approach, has been studied by means of EXAFS at the Ln-K edge. It can be demonstrated that the lanthanide ions enter the Nb₂O₅ structure as substitutional defects with respect to Nb, giving rise to a very large amount of disorder: both Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions substitute Nb in the nine-fold coordinated site, with clustering of oxygen vacancies around the substitutional defects. Valence bond calculations have been used to validate the Ln-O distances obtained by the EXAFS fitting. The Er³⁺-doped nanocrystalline Nb₂O₅ sample shows efficient luminescence in the near infrared region around 1.5 μm. The emission and excitation spectra are affected by significant inhomogeneous broadening, in agreement with the presence of strong disorder around the dopant ions in nanosized Nb₂O₅.     

Thermal and optical properties of Er-doped oxyfluorotellurite glasses

Er³⁺-doped oxyfluorotellurite glasses with four different concentrations of Er³⁺ ions have been prepared and investigated their thermal, optical absorption, excitation and luminescence properties. From the DSC spectra, glass transition and onset of crystallization temperatures have been found. Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters have been derived from the absorption spectrum and are in turn used to calculate radiative properties for the important luminescent levels of Er³⁺ ions. The calculated radiative properties are comparable to experimental values. The glasses show intense green and weak red emission under normal excitation with 451 nm. The decrease in emission intensities and lifetimes of the ⁴S_3/2 level with concentration of Er³⁺ ions has been explained as due to energy transfer processes between Er³⁺ ions. The stimulated emission cross-sections and quantum efficiencies of the green and infrared emissions have been determined. The results indicate that the glasses may be suitable for use as a laser medium in making solid-state green laser by normal pumping route and as laser medium and optical amplifier in the 1.5 μm region.     

Preparation and fluorescence properties of Yb3+ and Er3+ co-doped GdAlO3 phosphors

Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ co-doped GdAlO₃ phosphors are prepared by the sol–gel method. The effect of doping concentration on the structure and fluorescence properties is investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence, respectively. XRD pattern indicates that the sample structure belongs to orthorhombic. The photoluminescence results show that both green and red fluorescence emission and upconversion emission intensities decrease with an increase in Yb³⁺ concentration due to the cross-relaxation process between Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions. Based on the emission spectra, the mechanism of the upconversion emission is discussed, and we concluded that the upconversion emission is a two-photon process.     

Er3+离子掺杂钡镓锗玻璃上转换发光机理研究

研究了Er³⁺离子掺杂钡镓锗玻璃的吸收光谱、拉曼光谱和上转换光谱.分析了Er³⁺离子在钡镓锗玻璃中的上转换发光机理.结果表明：玻璃的最大声子能量为828cm^-1，紫外截止波长为275nm.采用800nm和980nmLD激发玻璃样品，在室温下观察到强烈的上转换绿光和红光发射.随着Er³⁺离子浓度的增加，绿光发光强度先增加后减小，而红光发光强度呈单调递增趋势.能量分析表明：800nmLD激发产生的绿光主要源于Er³⁺离子4I_13/2能级的激发态吸收过程；红光发射主要源于Er³⁺离子4I_13/2能级与4I_11/2能级之间的能量转移过程.980nmLD激发产生的绿光主要源于Er³⁺离子4I_11/2能级之间的能量转移过程；而红光发射主要源于Er³⁺离子4I_13/2能级与4I_11/2能级之间的能量转移过程和4I_13/2能级的激发态吸收过程.通过量子效率分析，发现采用800nmLD激发Er³⁺离子掺杂浓度为1mol% 的样品时，上转换绿光发光效率最高. 关键词： 上转换发光机理 3+离子掺杂')" href="#">Er³⁺离子掺杂 钡镓锗玻璃     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of Gd6MoO12:Yb3+, Er3+ phosphor with enhanced photoluminescence by Li+ doping

Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Gd₆MoO₁₂ and Yb³⁺/Er³⁺/Li⁺ tri-doped Gd₆MoO₁₂ phosphors were prepared by adjusting the annealing temperature via the high temperature solid-state method. Under the excitation of 980 nm semiconductor, the upconversion luminescence properties were investigated and discussed. In the experimental process, we get the optimum Yb³⁺ concentration and the concentration quench effect will happen while the concentration extends the given region. According to the Yb³⁺ concentration quenching effects, the critical distance between Yb³⁺ ions had been calculated. The measured UC luminescence exhibited a strong red emission near 660 nm and green emission at 530 nm and 550 nm, which are due to the transitions of Er³⁺(⁴F_9/2, ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2) → Er³⁺(⁴I_15/2). Then the effect of excitation power density in different regions on the upconversion mechanisms was investigated and the calculated results demonstrate that the green and red upconversion is a two-photon process. A possible mechanism was discussed. After Li⁺ ions mixing, the upconversion emission enhanced largely, and the optimum Li⁺ concentration was obtained while fixed the Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ on the above optimum concentration. This enhancement owns to the decrease of the local symmetry around Er³⁺ after Li⁺ ions doping into the system. This result indicates that Li⁺ is a promising candidate for improving luminescence in some case.     

TeO2-ZnO-Na2O-K2O玻璃中Er3+离子掺杂浓度对其发光及荧光寿命的影响

测量了不同掺杂浓度下Er³⁺离子在碲酸盐玻璃中的吸收光谱、发射光谱和Er3+离子的荧光寿命，计算了Er³⁺离子的发射截面σ_e,分析 了Er ³⁺离子掺杂浓度对其发光强度和荧光寿命的影响.结果表明，Er³⁺离子掺 杂浓度较低时，对其荧光强度和荧光寿命没有显著的影响；掺杂浓度高时，出现了浓度猝灭 效应，使Er³⁺离 子荧光光强度降低，荧光寿命下降.实验确定了掺杂浓度最优值，同时对浓度猝灭机制进行 了分析. 关键词： 碲锌碱玻璃 3+离子')" href="#">Er³⁺离子 掺杂浓度 发光和荧光寿命     

Site-selective spectroscopy of Er3+:Ti:LiNbO3 waveguides

Starting from previous investigations in LiNbO₃ bulk crystals, we studied the optical properties of Er³⁺ ions in Ti:LiNbO₃ channel waveguides and investigated the waveguide-specific lattice environment of the Er³⁺ ions (“sites”) caused by the doping method used and the presence of a large number of Ti⁴⁺ ions. For that purpose the method of combined excitation–emission spectroscopy was applied for the first time to waveguides at low temperatures. Comparing the spectroscopic results obtained for the green, red, and near-IR luminescence (λ≈550, ≈650 and ≈980 nm) under direct (450 nm), 2-step (980 nm), and 3-step (1.5 μm) laser excitation, we found several distinguishable Er³⁺ sites which in terms of energy levels and relative numbers are similar to those in bulk material, but exhibit significantly different up-conversion efficiencies and strongly inhomogeneously broadened transitions. Moreover, we were able to distinguish isolated and cluster Er³⁺ sites by their characteristic excitation and emission transition energies and studied the respective excitation/relaxation channels. The cluster sites are most efficient in the up-conversion process, especially under 3-step excitation. Using accepted microscopic models for Er³⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ incorporation into the LiNbO₃ crystal lattice, the site distribution and up-conversion mechanisms are elucidated and their consequences for laser applications in different spectral regions are discussed. Received: 16 November 2000 / Published online: 21 March 2001     

Photoluminescence characteristics of energy transfer between Er and Bi in Gd2O3: Er, Bi

The phosphors, Bi³⁺- activated Gd₂O₃:Er³⁺, were prepared by sol-gel combustion method, and their photoluminescent properties were investigated under ultraviolet light excitation. The emission spectrum exhibited sharp peaks at about 520, 535, 545, 550 and 559 nm due to (²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2)→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ ions. The luminescent intensity was remarkably improved by the incorporation of Bi³⁺ ions under 340 nm light excitation, which suggested very efficient energy transfer from Bi³⁺ ions to Er³⁺ions. The introducing of Bi³⁺ ions broadened the excitation band of the phosphor, of which a new strong peak occurred ranging from 320 to 360 nm due to the 6s²→6s6p transition of Bi³⁺ ions. There is significant energy overlap between the emission band of Bi³⁺ ions and the excitation band of Er³⁺ ions. Under 340 nm light excitation, Bi³⁺ absorbed most of the energy and transferred it to Er³⁺. The energy transfer probability from Bi³⁺ to Er³⁺ is strongly dependent on the Bi³⁺ ion concentration. Also, the sensitization effectiveness was studied and discussed in this paper.     

Enhanced upconverted photoluminescence in Er and Yb codoped ZnO nanocrystals with and without Li ions

The upconversion luminescence spectral intensity of Er³⁺ in Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ codoped ZnO nanocrystals with and without Li⁺ are investigated. Yb³⁺ ions as a tradition sensibilizer have efficient energy transfer processes from Yb³⁺ (²F_5/2) to Er³⁺ (⁴I_13/2, ⁴I_11/2, ⁴F_9/2), which lead to the increment of upconversion luminescence intensity. Following by adding Li⁺ to the Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ codoped ZnO nanocrystals, the upconversion intensity emitted by Er³⁺ ions is found greatly enhanced. The enhancement is attributed to the distortion of the local field symmetry of Er³⁺ ions, so increases various intra-4f transitions of Er³⁺ ions. Both Yb³⁺ and Li⁺ can disperse Er³⁺ ions in specimen, so reduced the interaction between neighboring Er³⁺ ions.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance in Y1−cH1.92:Erc

We have investigated the EPR of isotopically enriched ¹⁶⁸Er³⁺ in Y_1?cH_1.92:Er_c where c = 100 and 1400 ppm, at both 1.4 and 9 GHz and between 1.5 and 50 K. Resonance lines were observed from Er³⁺ ions in both sites of cubic symmetry and sites of axial symmetry. We determine the numbers of Er³⁺ in cubic, and C_4v axial symmetry to be in the ratio 2:1. The cubic site resonance line is at g = 6.85 ± 0.07 and is attributed to a Γ₇ doublet. The linewidth has a linear thermal broadening of 3.9 ± 0.05 gauss K^-1 below circa 7 K. From the nonlinear thermal broadening above this temperature we determine the first excited state, in the cubic crystal field scheme, to be a Γ₈ at 35 ± 10 K above the Γ₇ ground state. We have investigated the origins of the (T = 0) residual linewidth for the ions in cubic symmetry, and conclude there to be a small but significant contribution due to unresolved transferred hyperfine structure from the surrounding hydrogen nuclei.     

Water-Soluble Ln<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Doped LaF<Subscript>3</Subscript> Nanoparticles: Retention of Strong Luminescence and Potential as Biolabels

The use of optically robust, luminescent lanthanide-based particles is becoming an area of interest for biolabel-related chemistry, due to their long lifetimes and range of non-overlapping absorption and emission lines from the visible to the near-infrared. We report the synthesis and optical properties of water-soluble, luminescent Ln³⁺-doped nanoparticles (NPs) coordinated with a hydrophilic (RO)PO₃²⁻ ligand that facilitates the stabilization of the NPs in aqueous conditions, and that regulates particle growth to the nanometer range. The use of lanthanide ions as dopants, in particular Eu³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions, yields optically robust particles with narrow emission lines in the visible (591 nm) and in the near-infrared (1530 nm), respectively. Luminescent lifetimes range from the microsecond to the millisecond for Er³⁺ and Eu³⁺ ions, respectively, and the NPs are not expected to be susceptible to photo-bleaching due to the fact that the emissions arise from intra-4f transitions of the lanthanide ions.     

Role of Bi ions for Er ions efficient 1.54 μm light emission in Er/Bi codoped SiO2 thin film prepared by sol-gel method

Er/Bi codoped SiO₂ thin films were prepared by sol-gel method and spin-on technology with subsequent annealing process. The bismuth silicate crystal phase appeared at low annealing temperature while vanished as annealing temperature exceeded 1000 °C, characterized by X-ray diffraction, and Rutherford backscattering measurements well explained the structure change of the films, which was due to the decrease of bismuth concentration. Fine structures of the Er³⁺-related 1.54 μm light emission (line width less than 7 nm) at room temperature was observed by photoluminescence (PL) measurement. The PL intensity at 1.54 μm reached maximum at 800 °C and decreased dramatically at 1000 °C. The PL dependent annealing temperature was studied and suggested a clear link with bismuth silicate phase. Excitation spectrum measurements further reveal the role of Bi³⁺ ions for Er³⁺ ions near infrared light emission. Through sol-gel method and thermal treatment, Bi³⁺ ions can provide a perfect environment for Er³⁺ ion light emission by forming Er-Bi-Si-O complex. Furthermore, energy transfer from Bi³⁺ ions to Er³⁺ ions is evidenced and found to be a more efficient way for Er³⁺ ions near infrared emission. This makes the Bi³⁺ ions doped material a promising application for future erbium-doped waveguide amplifier and infrared LED.