Photoluminescence of Sm3+, Dy3+, and Tm3+-doped transparent glass ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals

Photoluminescence properties of Sm³⁺, Dy³⁺, and Tm³⁺-doped transparent oxyfluoride silicate glass ceramics containing CaF₂ nanocrystals were reported. Emission bands of ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_5/2 (562 nm), ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 (598 nm), ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_9/2 (645 nm) and ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_11/2 (706 nm) for the Sm³⁺: glass and glass ceramic, with an excitation at ⁶H_5/2 → ⁴F_7/2 (402 nm) have been recorded. Of them, ⁴G_5/2 → ⁶H_7/2 (598 nm) has shown a bright orange emission. With regard to the Dy³⁺: glass, a bright fluorescent yellow emission at 575 nm (⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_13/2) and blue emission at 481 nm (⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_15/2) have been observed, apart from 662 nm (⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_11/2) emission transition with an excitation at 386 nm (⁶H_15/2 → ⁴I_13/2 + ⁴F_7/2) wavelength. Emission bands of ¹G₄ → ³F₄ (650 nm) and ¹G₄ → ³H₅ (795 nm) transitions for the Tm³⁺: glass and glass ceramic, with an excitation at ³H₆ → ¹G₄ (467 nm) have been observed. Of them, ¹G₄ → ³F₄ (650 nm) has shown bright red emission. Decay lifetime measurements were also carried out for all the observed Sm³⁺, Dy³⁺, and Tm³⁺-doped glass and glass ceramic emission bands.