Structure dependence of near-infrared stimulated blue emission in polycrystalline Ln2(WO4)3 (Ln=Gd and Lu) doped with Tm and Yb

Tm- and Yb-doped gadolinium tungstate, (Gd_xTm_yYb_1−x−y)₂(WO₄)₃ (x=0.7-0.9; y=0.001-0.01), have been prepared by the polymerized complex method to achieve a homogeneous dispersion of dopants and to stabilize the host structure. Decomposition (900 °C 5 h) of the precursors with x=0.8-0.9 yielded a pure monoclinic phase, while that of x=0.7 resulted in formation of an orthorhombic impurity. The monoclinic phase exhibits bright up-converted blue emission due to the ¹G₄→³H₆ transition of Tm³⁺ (472 nm) upon excitation into the Yb³⁺:²F_7/2→²F_5/2 absorption band as a result of energy transfer from Yb to Tm. The orthorhombic impurity acts as a strong quencher of emission, and the quenching mechanism has been discussed on the basis of structural and spectroscopic properties of orthorhombic Lu₂(WO₄)₃:Tm,Yb prepared by the same method.