Spectroscopic characteristics of Sm3+-doped alkali fluorophosphate glasses

Optical absorption, luminescence and lifetime measurements of Sm(3+)-doped alkali fluorophosphate glasses with molar compositions of 50(NaPO(3))(6)+10TeO(2)+20AlF(3)+19RF+1Sm(2)O(3) (R=Li, Na and K) are described. The variation of optical properties with glass composition plays a dominant role in the determination of efficient laser materials. From the experimental oscillator strengths of f-f electric dipole transitions, the phenomenological Judd-Ofelt parameters have been evaluated and are used to evaluate radiative parameters such as radiative transition probabilities (A(R)), branching ratios (beta(R)), lifetimes (tau(R)) and integrated absorption cross-section (sigma(a)) for various excited levels. The predicted values of tau(R) and beta(R) from the (4)G(5/2) excited level to its lower levels are compared with the experimentally measured values. Stimulated emission cross-sections (sigma(e)) were also determined for (4)G(5/2)-->(6)H(J) (J=5/2, 7/2, 9/2 and 11/2) emission transitions. From the emission transitions of Sm(3+) in these alkali tellurofluorophosphate glasses certain potential laser transitions have been identified.     

Theoretical study of phosphorescence in dye doped light emitting diodes

Phosphorescence of platinum(II) octaethyl porphyrin (PtOEP), which has been used in organic light emitting diodes to overcome the efficiency limit imposed by the formation of triplet excitons, is studied by time-dependent (TD) density functional theory (DFT). The spin-orbit coupling (SOC) effects and the phosphorescence radiative lifetime (tau(p) (r)), calculated by the TD DFT method with the quadratic response technique, are analyzed for a series of porphyrins in order to elucidate the internal heavy atom effect on tau(p) (r). While the significance of the d(pi) orbital admixture into the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital e(g)(pi(*)), proposed by Gouterman et al. [J. Chem. Phys. 56, 4073 (1972)], is supported by our SOC calculations, we find that the charge-transfer (CT) mechanism is more important; the CT state of the (3)A(2g) symmetry provides effective SOC mixing with the ground state, and a large (3)A(2g)-(3)E(u) transition dipole moment gives the main contribution to the radiative phosphorescence rate constant. The IR and Raman spectra in the ground state and first excited triplet state (T(1)) are studied for proper assignment of vibronic patterns. An orbital angular momentum of the T(1) state is not quenched completely by the Jahn-Teller effect. A large zero-field splitting is predicted for PtP and PtOEP which results from a competition between the SOC and Jahn-Teller effects. A strong vibronic activity is found for the e(g) mode at 230 cm(-1) in PtP phosphorescence which is shifted to 260 cm(-1) in PtOEP. This out-of-plane vibration of the Pt atom produces considerable change of the SOC mixing. The role of charge-transfer state of d(pi)pi(*) type is stressed for the explanation of the electroluminescent properties of the dye doped light emitting diode.     

The thermodynamic behaviour of Sm3+-doped LiKSO4 crystals

The influence of the point defects introduced by means of Sm³⁺ on the thermal properties of LiKSO₄ crystals was studied in the vicinity of the high-temperature phase at 708 and 940 K. The temperature dependence of the specific heat was found to vary monotonously with the Sm³⁺content, while the first transition temperature was unchanged. The change in the value of the specific heat was attributed to the correlation between the defect-defect interaction and the presence of internal local strain generated inside the crystal. The variation of the excess specific heat with the reduced temperature obeys the 3d Ising model.     

Temperature dependent luminescence characteristics of Sm3+-doped silicate glass

We report here on the optical characterisation of Sm3+ (5 wt%): SiO2 + Al2O3 + Li2O + Na2O + MgO glass from the measurements of optical absorption spectra (at 300 K), total luminescence spectra (10-300 K) and fluorescence lifetimes (10-300 K) of the prominent emission transitions of the Sm3+ ions. Besides its spectral properties, physical and nonlinearity characterising property parameters have also been computed to understand the optical dispersive power of this glass. By the application of Judd-Ofelt parameters (omega(lambda)) of the measured absorption spectrum, the radiative transition probability factors (A) and stimulated emission cross-section (sigma(p)E) of the observed fluorescent levels have been analysed. Both emission intensity and measured lifetimes of the prominent luminescent transition (4G(5/2) --> 6H(7/2)) concerning Sm3+-glass has been showing a descending trend with the rise in temperature with N2-laser (337.1 nm) as the source of excitation.     

White-light-emitting long-lasting phosphorescence in Dy-doped SrSiO3

We report on a luminescent phenomenon in Dy³⁺-doped SrSiO₃ long-lasting phosphor. After irradiation by a 254-nm UV lamp for 5 min, the Dy³⁺-doped SrSiO₃ phosphor emits white light-emitting long-lasting phosphorescence for more than 1 h even after the irradiation source has been removed. Photoluminescence, long-lasting phosphorescence and thermoluminescence (TL) spectra are used to explain this phenomenon. Photoluminescence spectra reveal that the white light-emitting long-lasting phosphorescence originated from the two mixtures of Dy³⁺ characteristic luminescence, the 480-nm blue emission (⁴F_9/2→⁶H_15/2) and the 572-nm yellow emission (⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2). TL spectra shows that the introduction of Dy³⁺ ions into the SrSiO₃ host produces a highly dense trapping level at 377 K (0.59 eV), which is responsible for the long-lasting phosphorescence at room temperature. A possible mechanism of the long-lasting phosphorescence based on the experimental results is proposed. It is considered that the long-lasting phosphorescence is due to persistent energy transfer from the electron traps to the Dy³⁺ ions, which creates the persistent luminescence of Dy³⁺ to produce the white light-emitting long-lasting phosphorescence.     

Spectral power distribution and quantum yields of Sm3+-doped heavy metal tellurite glass under the pumping of blue lighting emitting diode

Quantum yields for multichannel transition emissions have been determined in Sm3+-doped heavy metal tellurite glass under the pumping of blue lighting emitting diode for the first time. To achieve this goal, the necessary fluorescence spectra were measured and calibrated in an integrating sphere, which was connected to a CCD detector with a 400 microm-core optical fiber. The spectral power distribution of the sample under the blue LED pumping was derived from the measured spectra firstly, and then the quantum yields for the visible emissions of Sm3+ were calculated based on the distribution and the total quantum yields in visible region is 7.55%. For accurate measurements, integrating sphere method is proved to be a reliable and reproducible way to characterize luminescence and laser materials.     

Structural and photoluminescence properties of orange emitting perovskites SrZrO3:Sm3+ phosphors for solid-state lighting

In this study, a series of Sr_1-xZrO₃:xSm (x = 0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.11) samples were synthesized using the sol-gel process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), UV–visible and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were employed to analyze these phosphors. The reporting of the bandgap energies (E_g), for which the diffuse-reflectance spectra of the Sr_0.97ZrO₃:Sm_0.03 phosphor was used, is based on the Kubelka–Munk (K–M) function. Under the 406 nm excitation, the three Sm³⁺-emission transitions ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_5/2 (562 nm), ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 (599 nm), and ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_9/2 (644 nm) were observed for all the samples. The diminishing Sm³⁺-emission intensity that was observed was analyzed in the evaluation of the critical transfer rate (R_c) and the energy-transfer interaction parameter (Q). The CIE-chromaticity color coordinates of the Sm³⁺-doped SrZrO₃ indicate that the prepared phosphors may act as an orange-emitting-light converter for the white LED.     

Energy transfer between Gd3+ and Sm3+ the effect of Gd3+ on quenching of Sm3+ and intensity parameters of Sm3+ in borate glasses

Intensity parameters of Sm³⁺ in borate glasses were obtained by fitting the oscillator strengths to the Judd-Ofelt formula and a study of energy transfer from gadolinium to samarium was performed. An increase of samarium fluorescence originating from the ${}^4\text{G}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ level was observed in the presence of gadolinium, in the concentration range of 0.1–3 wt% samarium with gadolinium constant at 3 wt%. The intensity of samarium fluorescence on excitation at 273 nm increased by one order of magnitude in the presence of gadolinium. From the excitation spectrum of the double-doped glasses (Gd + Sm), it was deduced that energy absorbed by gadolinium is transferred from ${}^6\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>7</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ gadolinium levels to the ${}^4\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>3</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ and ${}^4\text{P}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}$ samarium levels.The mechanism of this energy transfer was obtained by plotting the energy transfer probabilities as a function of samarium concentration. A linear dependence of $\text{η}{}_0\text{η}$ (η intensity of gadolinium in the presence of samarium) versus square of concentration of Sm + Gd is obtained. From this it is concluded that the transfer is of electric-multipolar type, mainly dipole-dipole. A small increase (about 10%) of fluorescence of samarium in the presence of gadolinium excited at levels where no energy transfer can take place is attributed to the fact that the quenching of samarium occurring by the cross relaxation $\text{(}{}^4\text{G}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{→}{}^6\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{) (}{}^6\text{H}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>5</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{→}{}^6\text{F}{}_{\mathrm{<mtext>9</mtext><mtext>2</mtext>}}\text{)}$ is suppressed by the presence of gadolinium as seen from concentration dependence of samarium doped glasses compared to double-doped glasses.     

Absorption, light emission, and upconversion properties of Tm2+-doped CsCaI3 and RbCaI3

Absorption, light emission, and upconversion properties of Tm2+-doped CsCaI3 and RbCaI3 single crystals are presented and compared. Both compounds show multiple emissions after excitation at 21834 cm(-1) between 10 and 300 K. Besides sharp 4f-4f transitions around 8800 cm(-1), five and three broad 4f-5d emission bands are observed at higher energies in CsCaI3:Tm2+ and RbCaI3:Tm2+, respectively. The 4f-5d transitions are very sensitive to the crystalline environment: the onset of the 4f-5d excitations is red-shifted by about 1000 cm(-1) in RbCaI3:Tm2+ compared to CsCaI3:Tm2+. In addition, a broadening of bands is observed in the former compound. These differences are attributed to the structural changes that occur when the alkali metal is changed from Cs to Rb in these crystal lattices. An increased energy splitting of the multiplets and a red shift of the barycenter of the (4f)12(5d)1 electron configuration in RbCaI3:Tm2+ is the result. This affects not only the color of the visible emission, which turns from green in CsCaI3:Tm2+ to yellow in RbCaI3:Tm2+, but also the excited state dynamics. As a consequence, the dominant upconversion processes are different in the two compounds. Thus, the two title compounds nicely illustrate the influence of the structural environment on the optical spectroscopic properties of Tm2+.     

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue on Fe3+-doped TiO2 nanoparticles under visible light irradiation

Fe³⁺-doped TiO₂ composite nanoparticles with different doping amounts were successfully synthesized using sol-gel method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and ultravioletvisible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) diffuse reflectance spectra (DRS). The photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue was used as a model reaction to evaluate the photocatalytic activity of Fe³⁺/TiO₂ nanoparticles under visible light irradiation. The influence of doping amount of Fe³⁺ (ω: 0.00%–3.00%) on photocatalytic activities of TiO₂ was investigated. Results show that the size of Fe³⁺/TiO₂ particles decreases with the increase of the amount of Fe³⁺ and their absorption spectra are broaden and absorption intensities are also increased. Doping Fe³⁺ can control the conversion of TiO₂ from anatase to rutile. The doping amount of Fe³⁺ remarkably affects the activity of the catalyst, and the optimum efficiency occurs at about the doping amount of 0.3%. The appropriate doping of Fe³⁺ can markedly increase the catalytic activity of TiO₂ under visible light irradiation. __________ Translated from Journal of Northwest Normal University (Natural Science), 2006, 42(6): 55–56 [译自: 西北师范大学学报(自然科学版)]     

Study on Gd3+ and Sm3+ co-doped ceria-based electrolytes

Doped ceria electrolytes of Ce_1-aGd_a-ySm_yO_2–0.5a, wherein a=0.15 or 0.2, and 0ya, were prepared with the citrate method, and characterized by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry, energy dispersive spectrometry, scanning electron microscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and AC impedance spectroscopy. The effect of composition on the structure and conductivity was studied. All the samples were fluorite-type ceria-based solid solutions. For the singly doped samples, the optimal composition was Ce_0.85Gd_0.15O_1.925 for Gd³⁺-doped ceria (CGO), which showed higher ionic conductivity than the best Sm³⁺-doped ceria (CSO) at 773–973 K. For the co-doped samples, the ionic conductivities were higher than those of the singly doped ones in the temperature range 673–973 K when a=0.15, but only better in 673–773 K when a=0.2. For the samples of Ce_0.85Gd_0.15-ySm_yO_1.925, wherein 0.05y0.1, much higher ionic conductivity was observed than those of the singly doped ceria at 773K~973 K. Therefore, these co-doped samples would be better than CGO and CSO to be the electrolytes of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.     

Enhanced frequency upconversion of Sm3+ ions by elliptical Au nanoparticles in dichroic Sm3+: Au-antimony glass nanocomposites

Dichroic Sm³⁺: Au-antimony glass nanocomposites are synthesized in a new reducing glass (dielectric) matrix (mol%) K₂O–B₂O₃–Sb₂O₃ (KBS) by a single-step melt-quench technique involving selective thermochemical reduction. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) results indicate that Au⁰ nanoparticles are grown along the (2 0 0) plane direction. The transmission electron microscopic (TEM) image reveals the elliptical Au⁰ nanoparticles having major axis range 12–17 nm. Dichroic behavior is due to elliptical shape of Au⁰ nanoparticles of aspect ratio ～1.2. Au⁰ NPs of concentration of 0.03 wt% (4.1 × 10¹⁸ atoms/cm³) drastically enhances the intensity (～7-folds) of electric dipole ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_9/2 red transition (636 nm) of Sm³⁺ ions and then attenuates with further increase in Au⁰ concentration. The magnetic dipole ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_5/2 green (566 nm) and ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 orange (602 nm) transitions remain almost unaffected by presence of nano Au⁰. Local field enhancement (LFE) induced by Au⁰ SPR and energy transfer (ET) from fluorescent Au⁰ → Sm³⁺ ions are found to be responsible for the enhancement while reverse ET from Sm³⁺ → Au⁰ and optical re-absorption due to Au⁰ SPR for attenuation.     

Defects in Tm^3＋／Yb3＋—doped YVO4 Crystals

<正>The microscopic defects have been investigated for crystal Tm3+/Yb3+:YVO4. These defects mainly include the inclusions (solid inclusions, bubbles and inclusions of the liquid phase), dendrites and growth stripes. They are caused by in-pure raw materials, unstable growth conditions, super-cooling component and so on. Tm3+/Yb3+:YVO4 crystals of large size and excellent optical quality are grown by improving the growth conditions to eliminate these defects.     

Optical transitions of Sm3+ in oxide glasses

Eigenvectors of the 4f⁵ electronic configuration of Sm³⁺ were calculated in intermediate coupling, and used to obtain the reduced matrix elements U^(λ). Absorption spectra of Sm³⁺ were recorded in phosphate, borate, germanate and tellurite glasses. The Judd-Ofelt $\text{Ω}{}_{\mathrm{\lambda }}\text{'}\text{s}$ intensity parameters were then deduced from the measured oscillator strengths by least-squares fitting. Radiative transition probabilities and integrated cross-sections of stimulated emissions are obtained. Calculated branching ratios and decay lifetimes are compared with the experimental values.     

Solid state white light emitting systems based on CeF3: RE3+ nanoparticles and their composites with polymers

A series of doped CeF(3): RE(3+) (RE(3+): Tb(3+), Eu(3+) and Dy(3+)) nanoparticles were synthesized, with the aim of obtaining a white light emitting composition, by a simple polyol route at 160°C and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and photoluminescence. Uniformly distributed and highly water-dispersible rectangular nanoparticles (length ~15-20 nm, breadth ~5-10 nm) were obtained. The steady state and time resolved luminescence studies confirmed efficient energy transfer from the host to activator ions. Lifetime studies revealed that optimum luminescence is observed for 2.5 mol% Dy(3+) and 7.5 mol% Tb(3+). The energy transfer efficiencies (Ce(3+) to activators) were found to be 89% for CeF(3): Tb(3+) (7.5 mol%) nanoparticles and 60% for CeF(3): Dy(3+) (2.5 mol%) nanoparticles. Different concentrations of Tb(3+), Eu(3+) and Dy(3+) were doped to achieve a white light emitting phosphor for UV-based LEDs (light emitting diodes). Finally CeF(3), triply doped with 2.0 mol%Tb(3+), 4.5 mol% Eu(3+) and 3.5 mol% Dy(3+), was found to have impressive chromaticity co-ordinates, close to broad day light. The colloidal solutions of doped CeF(3) nanoparticles emitted bright green (Tb(3+)), blue (Dy(3+)) and white (triply doped) luminescence upon host excitation. Composites of poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) and poly vinyl alcohol (PVA) were made with CeF(3): 5.0 mol%Tb(3+), CeF(3): 5.0 mol% Dy(3+) and triply doped white light emitting composition. The CeF(3)/PMMA (PVA) nanocomposite films, so obtained, are highly transparent (in the visible spectral range) and exhibit strong photoluminescence upon UV excitation.     

Different Complexation of Nd3+ and Sm3+ with L-Malic Acid

Complexation of Nd³⁺ and Sm³⁺ ions with L-malic acid (H₃Mal) in aqueous solutions (I = 0.1 mol/l KCl) was studied by pH-metric titration at the molar concentration ratios of H₃Mal : lanthanide equal to 1 : 2, 1 : 1, 2 : 1 in the pH range 2.8–9.5. Mathematical modeling of composite equilibrium processes was used to determine the compositions and stability constants of Nd(III) and Sm(III) L-malate complexes. It was found that in addition to the 1 : 1 and 1 : 2 complexes with different degree of deprotonation, the protonated L-malate complexes and hydroxo complexes of these metals were also formed. The Sm³⁺ and Nd³⁺ ions were established to behave differently during complexation with H₃Mal.     

Nitrate ion association with Sm3+ ion

A solvent extraction method withTBP as an extractant was used for the determination of the stability constantsK ₁ ^o for the SmNO ₃ ²⁺ complex, for different least approach distanceså of ions. It was established thatå=6.5 Å for SmNO ₃ ²⁺ .

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Zur Assoziation von Nitrat-Ion mit Sm³⁺

Zusammenfassung Die StabilitätskonstantenK ₁ ^o für den SmNO ₃ ²⁺ -Komplex bei verschiedenen Mindestannäherungsdistanzenå der Ionen wurden mittels einer Lösungsmittelextraktionsmethode mitTBP ermittelt. Der beste Wert fürå war 6.5 Å.

     

Fluorescence properties of Nd3+-doped tellurite glasses

The compositional and concentration dependence of luminescence of the (4)F(3/2)-->(4)I(J) (J=13/2, 11/2 and 9/2) transitions in four Nd(3+)-doped tellurite based glasses has been studied. The free-ion energy levels obtained for 60TeO(2)+39ZnO(2)+1.0Nd(2)O(3) (TZN10) glass have been analysed using the free-ion Hamiltonian model and compared with similar results obtained for Nd(3+):glass systems. The absorption spectrum of TZN10 glass has been analysed using the Judd-Ofelt theory. Relatively longer decay rates have been obtained for Nd(3+)-doped phosphotellurite glasses. The emission characteristics of the (4)F(3/2)-->(4)I(11/2) transition, of the Nd(3+):TZN10 glass, are found to be comparable to those obtained for Nd(3+):phosphate laser glasses. The non-exponential shape of the emission decay curves for the (4)F(3/2)-->(4)I(11/2) transition is attributed to the presence of energy transfer processes between the Nd(3+) ions.     

Fluorescence of Eu3+-doped InF3-based optical glasses

This paper reports physical, absorption and photoluminescence spectral properties of Eu³⁺-doped indium trifluoride-based optical glasses of the following formulae: 48 InF₃-24 BaF₂-7 AlF₃-20 RF, where RF is the alkali content (LiF, NaF and KF). From fluorescence characteristics of these Eu³⁺-doped glasses, it is found that Glass-A with 20 M% LiF as the network modifier shows a better trend in its optical behaviour. A red emission from these glasses has been noticed upon illumination with the UV lamp. The lifetimes of the lasing transition (⁵D₀→⁷F₂) have been measured both at 300 and 77K with an Ar⁺ laser (487.9 nm) as the source of excitation. Four additional fluorescent levels at 580, 592, 598 and 653 nm have also been measured.     

Vibronic transitions of U3+-doped LaBr3 single crystals

Good quality U³⁺-doped LaBr₃ single crystals have been obtained by the Bridgman–Stockbarger method. High-resolution low temperature emission spectra were recorded in a wide spectral range and are discussed. The emission from the ²K_15/2, ²H_11/2, and ⁴F_9/2 levels to the ⁴I_9/2 ground state and from ²K_15/2 to the first excited state ⁴I_11/2, have been investigated and are discussed with respect to vibronic transitions. The registered vibronic lines were compared with the Raman spectra of LaBr₃ single crystals.