Preparation and Upeonversion Lumineseenee ofNanoerystailine Gd2O3： Er^3＋, Yb^3＋

Nanocrystalline Gd1.77Yb0.2Er0.03O3 samples were prepared by combustion and precipitation methods. Structures and upconversion luminescence properties of samples were studied. The results of XRD show that all samples are cubic structure, the average crystallite size could be calculated as 23 nm and 39 nm, respectively. The lattice constants were obtained. The FT-IR spectra were measured to investigate the vibrational feature of the samples. Upconversion luminescence spectra of samples under 980 nm laser excitation were investigated. The strong red emission of samples were observed, and attributed to 4F9/2→4I152 transitions of Er^3＋ ions, the emission intensity for sample synthesized by precipitation method is stronger compared to that of combustion method. The possible upconversion luminescence mechanisms in nanocrystalline Gd1.77Yb0.2Er0.03O3 were discussed.     

One new photon avalanche phenomenon of Er^3＋ at 976 nm excitation

A photon avalanche phenomenon was observed in Er^3＋ and Li^ ＋ eodoped ZnO nanocrystals at room temperature under excitation around 976 nm. When the excitation power was over 120 mW/mm^2 , we found that the upconversion of red emission was generated by a four-photon absorption process and might be caused by intense interaction between neighboring Er^3 ＋ ions ： ^4 F7/2 ＋ ^4 I11/2 → 2^4 F9/2. When the excitation power was over the threshold of 240 mW/mm^2, the green emission avalanche upconversion was generated through an excitedstate absorption process ： ^4 F9/2 ＋ photon →^2 H9/2. The study extends the knowledge of this ion to a wider range of upconversion application.     

Frequency up-conversion luminescence properties and mechanism of Tm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>/Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> co-doped oxyfluorogermanate glasses

Oxyfluoride glasses were developed with composition 60GeO 2 ·10AlF 3 ·25BaF 2 ·(1.95-x)GdF 3 · 3YbF 3 ·0.05TmF 3 ·xErF 3 (x=0.02,0.05,0.08,0.11,0.14,0.17)in mole percent.Intense blue(476 nm),green(524 and 546 nm)and red(658 nm)emissions which identified from the 1G 4 →3H 6 transition of Tm3+and the(2H 11/2 ,4S 3/2 )→4I 15/2 ,4F 9/2 →4I 15/2 transitions of Er3+,respectively,were simultaneously observed under 980 nm excitation at room temperature.The results show that multicolor luminescence including white l...     

Controlling synthesis and host sensitized Eu~(3+) emissions of K_5Gd_9F_(32) and GdF_3

By controlling the reactant ratios, hydrothermal time, hydrothermal temperatures, p H values of the prepared solutions, and the concentrations of K3C6H5O7·2H2O, 1 mol% Eu3+ doped cubic phase of K5Gd9F32 and/or orthorhombic phase of Gd F3 micro/nanocrystals have been synthesized based on a hydrothermal method. For comparison, the sample was also synthesized by a co-precipitation method. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction(XRD) patterns, field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM) images, energy-dispersive spectroscopy(EDS) spectra, and photoluminescence(PL) excitation and emission spectra. By host Gd3+ sensitizing, the Eu3+ presents relatively strong emissions. The energy transfers from host Gd3+ to doping Eu3+ are observed in all the samples and the energy transfer plays an important role in the emission of Eu3+. Acting as a probe, the Eu3+ presents its distinct optical properties in the samples.     

Combustion Synthesis and Luminescent Properties of CaO: Eu~(3+), M~+ (M=Li, Na, K) Phosphor

Li + , Na + , or K + co-doped CaO: Eu3+ phosphors were prepared by the combustion synthesis method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence and photolumi- nescence excitation (PL-PLE) spectra. The experimental results show that, upon excitation with 250 nm xenon light, the emission spectrum of the CaO: Eu3+ consists of 4f-4f emission transitions from the 5D0 excited level to the 7FJ (J=1, 2, 3) levels with the mainly electric dipole transition 5D0→7F2 of Eu3+, indicating that the Eu3+ occupies a low symmetry. The charge-transfer band (CTB) shows somewhat red shift with the decreasing ionic radii of co-doped alkali metal ions. The PL and PLE intensities are significantly enhanced, especially the strongest intensity of luminescent is CaO: Eu3+, Li + phosphor, when alkali metal ions are incorporated. The strongest peak of emission is slightly shifted from 614 to 593 nm, indicating that the Eu3+ ion locates in a symmetric position (Oh) when alkali metal ions are incorporated.     

Upeonversion Emission and Paramagnctism of Colloid Ba2ErF7 and Ba2ErFT：Yb3＋ Nanoerystals Synthesized with Solvothermal Method

Ultrasmall near-monodisperse Ba2ErF7 nanocrystals with average crystal size 9.6 nm were synthesized with solvothermal method. The X-ray diffraction （XRD） and transmission electron microscopy （TEM） assays reveal that the as-synthesized Ba2ErF7 nanocrystals are of the cubic structure with the cell parameter of 5.943 A, instead of the reported orthorhombic and tetragonal structure. Two emission bands originated from 2Hwj4H3/2 → 4F5/2 and 4F9/2 ----＋ 4115,2 of Er3＋ can be observed under a 980 nm laser excitation. The magnetic mass susceptibility of the as-synthesized BazErF7 nanocrystals reaches 4.293 × 10-5 emu g-1 Oe-1.     

Synthesis of Polycrystalline Yb:Gd_3Ga_5O_(12) Nanopowders by Homogeneous Precipitation Method

The Ytterbium doped gadolinium gallium garnet [Yb3+:Gd3Ga5O12, Yb:GGG] precursor powders were synthesized via homogeneous precipitation method using Yb2O3, Ga2O3, Gd2O3 and ammonium bicarbonate [NH4HCO3] as precipitator, and ammonium sulfate [(NH4)2SO4] as additive. The evolution of phase composition and micro-structure of the powders were characterized by TG- DTA, XRD, IR, and TEM. The results indicate that all precursor powders completely transform to Yb:GGG phase by calcining at 900 ℃ for 8 h, the resultant powders are well dispersed and have smaller particle size approximately 80 nm owing to the electrostatic effect.     

Preparation and Performance of Magneto-optical Glasses Doped with Tb3＋/Dy3＋

In order to increase the content of rare-earth oxides in magneto-optical glass and improve the Verdet constant, the rare-earth doped ternary Ga2O3-B2O3-SiO2(GBS) system magneto-optical glasses were prepared by the melt quenching technique. The infl uence of Tb3+ and Dy3+ ions on the structure of GBS glasses was investigated using FTIR, DSC and Faraday rotations. The experimental results showed that the content of rare-earth oxides in the glasses with the double incorporation of Tb2O3 and Dy2O3 was higher. The crystallization parameter β achieved the maximum 0.48 with Tb3+/Dy3+ content of 35mol%. Terbium oxide existed mainly in [TbO3] units in the glasses and [TbO4] units were converted into [TbO3] with increasing Tb2O3 content. As Ga3+ ion is larger than B3+ ion in radius, leading to an increasing of the glass network gap and improvement in the ability of accommodating rare earth ions, Verdet constant increased.     

Photoluminescence and cathodoluminescence properties of CaLaGa3O7：Eu3＋ phosphors

The CaLaGa3O7:Eu3+ phosphor was prepared by a chemical co-precipitation method.Field emission scanning electron microscopy(FE-SEM),laser particle size analysis,X-ray diffraction(XRD),photoluminescence(PL),and cathodoluminescence(CL) spectra were util-ized to characterize the synthesized phosphor.The results revealed that the phosphor was composed of microspheres with a slight agglomer-ate phenomenon and was spherically shaped.The average grain size was about 1.0 μm.Eu3+ ions,as luminescent centers,substituted La3+ ions into the single crystal lattice of CaLaGa3O7 with the sites of Cs.Although the CL spectrum was greatly different from the PL spec-trum,it had the strongest red emission corresponding to the 5D0 →7F2 transition of Eu3+.Under the excitation of UV light(287 nm) and elec-tron beams(1.0-7.0 kV),the chromaticity coordinates of the phosphor were found to be in the nearly red and orange light regions,respec-tively.     

Leaching Stability of Simulated Waste Forms for Immobilizing An3＋ by Gd2Zr2O7 with Nd3＋

In order to investigate the anti-leaching capability of pyrochlore Gd2Zr2O7 immobilized An3+, trivalent neodymium was used as the simulacrums for radioactive wastes with trivalence, Gd2-xNdxZr2O7(0.0x 2.0) series samples were successfully synthesized by high temperature solid reaction and using Gd2O3, Zr O2 powders as starting materials. The experiments of long-term chemical stability were conducted in synthetic seawater at 40 and 70 ℃. The XRD diffractive data and extraction ratio of as-received samples were collected with the help of X-ray diffraction(XRD) instrument and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICPMass). The results indicate that the phases of as-received compounds keep the single phase of pyrochlore. The extraction ratio of Gd3+, Zr4+ and Nd3+ in waste forms is increasing with the increase of immersion time in synthetic seawater. The extraction ratio of waste forms at 70 ℃ is higher than at 40 ℃. The highest extraction ratio of Gd3+, Zr4+ and Nd3+ after 42 days is near 0.025 8, 0.003 8 and 0.045 2 μg·m L-1, respectively.     

Infrared-to-green upconversion properties of Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped TeO2-TiO2-K2O glasses upon excitation with 976 nm lasers diode

The energy transfer and upconversion of Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped TeO2-TiO2-K2O glasses upon excitation with 976 nm lasers diode were studied. The tellurite glasses were prepared by conventional melting methods. Their optical properties and sensitization upconversion spectra were performed. The dependence of green upconversion lu- minescence intensity on the mole ratio of Yb^3＋ to Er^3＋ and Er^3＋ concentration were discussed in detail. When the mole ratio of Yb^3＋ to Er^3＋ is 25/1 and Er^3＋ concentration is 0.1% （mole fraction）, or when the mole ratio of Yb^3＋ to Er^3＋ is 10/1 and Er^3＋ concentration is 0.15 %, the optimal upconversion luminescence intensity is obtained. The obtained glasses can be one of the potential candidates for lasers-diode pumping microchip solid-state lasers.     

Near-infrared quantum cutting in Pr3+-Yb3+ Co-doped oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals

The Pr³⁺-Yb³⁺ co-doped oxyfluoride glass-ceramics containing CaF₂ nanocrystals were obtained by thermal treatment on the as-made glasses. The structure of fluoride nanocrystals was investigated. The light-emitting mechanism of Pr³⁺-Yb³⁺ in the near infrared region was proposed and the fluorescence lifetime and quantum efficiency was calculated. The results indicate that the main phase in the oxyfluoride glassceramics is CaF₂ nanocrystal sized at 30 nm. Energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) have proved the incorporation of Pr³⁺ and Yb³⁺ into CaF₂ nanocrystal lattice. Near-infrared quantum cutting involving Yb³⁺ 980 nm and 1 015 nm (²F_5/2→² F _7/2) emission has been achieved upon the excitation of the ³ P ₀ energy level of Pr³⁺ at 482 nm. The fluorescence lifetime decreases sharply and quantum efficiency increases with increasing Yb³⁺ concentration, and the optimal quantum efficiency reaches 191%.     

Energy transfer mechanism of GdPO4: RE3+ (RE = Tb, Tm) under VUV-UV excitation

Polycrystal of GdPO₄:RE³⁺ (RE=Tb, Tm) phosphors were prepared by solid-state method. Vacuum ultraviolet excitation and emission spectrum and the energy transfer mechanism between the host and dopants of Tb³⁺ and Tm³⁺ were investigated respectively. The emission of Gd³⁺ at 313 nm was enhanced by the strong absorption of CTS of Tm³⁺ at 180 nm in GdPO₄: Tm. It has also been concluded that the excitation of Gd³⁺ is transferred to Tb³⁺ and then emission peaks of ⁵D_J→⁷F_J of Tb³⁺ were observed.     

Synthesis of polycrystalline Yb:Gd3Ga5O12 nanopowders by homogeneous precipitation method

The Ytterbium doped gadolinium gallium garnet [Yb³⁺:Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂, Yb:GGG] precursor powders were synthesized via homogeneous precipitation method using Yb₂O₃, Ga₂O₃, Gd₂O₃ and ammonium bicarbonate [NH₄HCO₃] as precipitator, and ammonium sulfate [(NH₄)₂SO₄] as additive. The evolution of phase composition and micro-structure of the powders were characterized by — TG DTA, XRD, IR, and TEM. The results indicate that all precursor powders completely transform to Yb:GGG phase by calcining at 900 °C for 8 h, the resultant powders are well dispersed and have smaller particle size approximately 80 nm owing to the electrostatic effect.     

One new photon avalanche phenomenon of Er3+ at 976 nm excitation

A photon avalanche phenomenon was observed in Er3+ and Li+ codoped ZnO nanocrystals at room temperature under excitation around 976 nm. When the excitation power was over 120 mW/mm2 , we found that the upconversion of red emission was generated by a four-photon absorption process and might be caused by in-tense interaction between neighboring Er3+ ions: 4F7/2+4I11/2→24F9/2. When the excitation power was over the threshold of 240 mW/mm2, the green emission avalanche upconversion was generated through an excited-state absorption process: 4F9/2 + photon →2H9/2. The study extends the knowledge of this ion to a wider range of upconversion application.     

Synthesis and luminescence properties of red phosphor CaO: Eu3+

Ca(NO₃)₂·4H₂O, Eu(NO₃)₃ and H₂C₂O₄·2H₂O were adopted to synthesize CaO: Eu³⁺ with the chemical co-precipitation method, and the effects of the calcination temperature and Eu³⁺ doping concentration on the phosphor structure and its luminescent properties were investigated by TG-SDTA, XRD, and PL-PLE. The results confirm that the Eu³⁺ ions as luminescent centers substitutes Ca²⁺ sites without changing the crystal structure of cubic CaO. The optimum calcination temperature and the optimum concentration of Eu³⁺ are 1 100 ° and 1 mol%, respectively, under which the best crystallinity and highest PL intensity appeared. The maximum emission wavelength is 592 nm (⁵D₀→⁷F₁) which is excited by xenon lamp with the wavelength of 200–280 nm, indicating that the Eu³⁺ ion mainly locates in the symmetric position (O_h) in the crystal lattice of CaO. Funded by the Science and Technology Bureau of Sichun Province(No. 2006J13-059) and Education Bureau of Sichun Province (No. 2006A094)     

Combustion synthesis and luminescent properties of CaO: Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, M<Superscript>+</Superscript> (M=Li,Na, K) phosphor

Li⁺, Na⁺, or K⁺ co-doped CaO: Eu³⁺ phosphors were prepared by the combustion synthesis method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation (PL-PLE) spectra. The experimental results show that, upon excitation with 250 nm xenon light, the emission spectrum of the CaO: Eu³⁺ consists of 4f-4f emission transitions from the ⁵ D ₀ excited level to the ⁷ F _J (J=1, 2, 3) levels with the mainly electric dipole transition ⁵ D ₀→⁷ F ₂ of Eu³⁺, indicating that the Eu³⁺ occupies a low symmetry. The charge-transfer band (CTB) shows somewhat red shift with the decreasing ionic radii of co-doped alkali metal ions. The PL and PLE intensities are significantly enhanced, especially the strongest intensity of luminescent is CaO: Eu³⁺, Li⁺ phosphor, when alkali metal ions are incorporated. The strongest peak of emission is slightly shifted from 614 to 593 nm, indicating that the Eu³⁺ ion locates in a symmetric position (O _h ) when alkali metal ions are incorporated.     

Crystallization and luminescence properties of Sm<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped SrO-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glass-ceramics

The Sm³⁺-doped SrO-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ (SAS) glass-ceramics with excellent luminescence properties were prepared by batch melting and heat treatment. The crystallization behavior and luminescent properties of the glass-ceramics were investigated by DTA, XRD, SEM and luminescence spectroscopy. The results indicate that the crystal phase precipitated in this system is monocelsian (SrAl₂Si₂O₈) and with the increase of nucleation/crystallization temperature, the crystallite increases from 66 % to 79 %. The Sm³⁺-doped SAS glass-ceramics emit green, orange and red lights centered at 565, 605, 650 and 715 nm under the excitation of 475 nm blue light which can be assigned to the ⁴G_5/2→⁶ H _j/2 (j=5, 7, 9, 11) transitions of Sm³⁺, respectively. Besides, by increasing the crystallization temperature or the concentration of Sm³⁺, the emission lights of the samples located at 565, 605 and 650 nm are intensified significantly. The present results demonstrate that the Sm³⁺-doped SAS glass-ceramics are promising luminescence materials for white LED devices by fine controlling and combining of these three green, orange and red lights in appropriate proportion.