Green,orange, and red upconversion luminescence in Nd^3＋/Yb^3＋： Cs2NaGdCl6 powders under 785 nm laser excitation

Nd^3＋：Cs2NaGdCl6 and Nd^3＋, Yb^3＋：Cs2NaGdCl6 polycrystalline powder samples were prepared by Morss method E. Under 785 nm semiconductor laser pumping, the upconversion luminescence of Nd^3＋ ions in Cs2NaGdCl6 was investigated at room temperature, and three upconversion emissions near 538 nm （Green）, 603 nm （Orange）, and 675 nm （Red） were observed and assigned to ^4G7/2→^4I9/2, （^4G7/2→^4I11/2; ^4G5/2→^4I9/2）, and （^4G7/2→^4I13/2; ^4G5/2→^4I11/2 ）, respectively. The dependences of these upconverted emissions on laser power and Nd^3＋ ion concentration were investigated, to explore the upconversion mechanism. The effect of doping Yb^3＋ ions on the upconversion luminescence of Nd^3＋ in Cs2NaGdCl6 was also studied under 785 nm laser excitation. The energy transfer processes were discussed as the possible mechanism for the above upconversion emissions.     

Three-photon-excited fluorescence of Tb-doped CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 glass by femtosecond laser irradiation

A near infrared to visible blue, green, and red upconversion luminescence in a Tb^3＋-doped CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 glass was studied, which was excited using 800 nm femtosecond laser irradiation. The upconversion luminescence was attributed to ^5D3→^7F5, ^5D3→^7F4, ^5D3→^7F3, ^5D4→^7F6, ^5D4→^7F5, ^5D4→^7F4, and ^5D4→^7F3 transitions of Tb^3＋. The relationship between upconversion luminescence intensity and the pump power indicated that a three-photon simultaneous absorption process was dominant in this upconversion luminescence. The intense red, green, and blue upconversion luminescence of Tb^3＋-doped CaO-Al2O3-SiO2 glass may be potentially useful in developing three-dimensional display applications.     

Infrared to ultraviolet upconversion luminescence in Nd3+ doped nano-glass-ceramic

Nd3+ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramic containing β-YF3 nanocrystals was prepared and the upconversion luminescence behaviors of Nd3+ in the precursor glass and glass ceramic were investigated. Under 796 nm laser excitation, ultraviolet upconversion emissions of Nd3+ ions at 354 nm (4D3/2→4I9/2) and 382 nm (4D3/2→4I11/2) were observed at room temperature. Power dependence analysis demonstrated that three-photon upconversion processes populated the 4D3/2 excited state. In comparison with those of the precursor glass, the ultraviolet emissions were enhanced by a factor of 500 in the glass ceramic, which was attributed to the change in the ligand field of Nd3+ ions and the decrease in phonon energy because of the partition of Nd3+ ions into the β-YF3 nanocrystals after crystallization.     

Effect of Crystallization of Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 Glasses on Luminescence Properties of Nd^3＋ Ions

In the field of solid-state lasers ,it is generallyconsidered that laser action can only be obtained insingle crystals or glasses ,because they ensure lowab-sorption or diffusion of light , which is required toovercome laser threshold . Now, the number of thehost materials has increased withthe addition of a newmaterial group ,glass-ceramics .Transparent glass-ce-ramics may advantageously replace glass lasers in sev-eral applications ranging from microchip lasers andamplifying optical fibers t…     

Investigation on energy transfer from Er^3＋ to Nd^3＋ in tellurite glass

A study of energy transfer of Er^3＋/Nd^3＋ codoped tellurite glasses was presented. By Nd^3＋ co-doping, both the Er^3＋ green emission corresponding to the Er^3＋： （^4S3/2, ^2H11/2）→^4I15/2 transitions and the red emission corresponding to the Er^3＋： ^4F9/2→^4I15/2 transitions were quenched. The energy transfer mechanism between Er^3＋ and Nd^3＋ was discussed based on their energy level characteristics. The interaction parameters, CO-A, for the energy transfer processes from Er^3＋ to Nd^3＋ in tellurites glass were calculated. Finally, the resonant transfer Er^3＋： ^4I9/2→Nd^3＋： （^4F5/2, ^2H9/2） was proposed to be the most probable microscopic process to occur in contrast with the other processes.     

Upconversion luminescence of Y2O3：Er^3＋ ,Yb^3＋ nanoparticles prepared by a homogeneous precipitation method

Y2O3： Er^3＋, Yb^3＋ nanoparticles were synthesized by a homogeneous precipitation method without and with different concentrations of EDTA 2Na. Upconversion luminescence spectra of the samples were studied under 980 nm laser excitation. The results of XRD showed that the obtained Y2O3：Er^3＋,Yb^3＋ nanoparticles were of a cubic structure. The average crystallite sizes calculated were in the range of 28-40 nm. Green and red upconversion emission were observed, and attributed to ^2H11/2,^4S3/2→^4I15/2 and ^4F9/2→^4I15/2 transitions of the ion, respectively. The ratio of the intensity of green emission to that of red emission drastically changed with a change in the EDTA 2Na concentration. In the sample synthesized without EDTA, the relative intensity of the green emission was weaker than that of the red emission. The relative intensities of green emission increased with the increased amount of EDTA 2Na used. The possible upconversion luminescence mechanisms were discussed.     

Enhanced ultraviolet upconversion in YF3：Yb^3＋/Tm^3＋ nanocrystals

Unusual intense infrared-to-ultraviolet upconversion luminescence was observed in YF3:Yb3+(20%)/Tm3+(1%) nanocrystals under 980 nm excitation. The intense ultraviolet emissions (1I6→3H6, 1I6→3F4, and 1D2→3H6) were affirmed arising from the excitation processes of five-photon and four-photon. In comparison with the bulk sample with the same chemical compositions, ultraviolet upconversion lumi-nescence of the nanocrystals was markedly enhanced. Spectral analysis indicated that the enhancement was attributed to the decrease of Judd-Ofelt parameter Ω2, which precluded the transition rate from 3F2 to 3F4, enhanced the energy transfer process and populated the 1D2 level: 3F2→3H6 (Tm3+): 3H4→1D2 (Tm3+).     

Energy transfer process of Nd3+/Ho3+ co-doped fluoride halide glasses with anion substituted multi-wavelength tunable mid-infrared luminescence

Ho³⁺ doped ZBLAN glass with 2.0 and 2.9 μm emission was prepared. In order to further improve the luminescence of Ho³⁺, halogen ions (Cl, Br, I) were introduced to reduce the maximum phonon energy and phonon state density of the sample. At the same time, Nd³⁺ was introduced to transfer the energy to Ho³⁺ pumped with a 793 nm laser (Nd³⁺:⁴F_5/2,⁴F_3/2→Ho³⁺:⁵I₆). The effect of different halogen ion on the luminescent properties of the fluoride halide glass was compared. The results show that the luminescent intensity of infrared increases with the introduction of different halogen ions. By comparison, it is found that the sample with I^– has the strongest luminescence of 1064 nm, 2.0 μm and 2.9 μm. This is consistent with the calculated J-O intensity parameters. In addition, the 2.0 and 2.9 μm emission of Ho³⁺ pumped with a 450 nm laser will not disappear. A mid-infrared sample with multi-wavelength excitation and multi-wavelength emission can be obtained. Nd³⁺/Ho³⁺ co-doped fluoride halide glasses with 1064 nm, 2.0 μm and 2.9 μm luminescence were prepared by melt quenching method. The luminescent mechanism and the energy transfer process between the two ions of Nd³⁺/Ho³⁺ co-doped fluoride halide glass were studied. The J-O parameters, luminescence lifetime and absorption emission cross-sectional area of Ho³⁺ and Nd³⁺ were calculated, respectively. It is found that the value of Ω₂ in the glass matrix increases with the introduction of different halogen ions, while Ω₄ and Ω₆ do not change obviously in different glass compositions. This is because the environment of the crystal field around the rare earth ions changes. The crystal phase and phonon energy of the sample were analyzed by X-ray diffraction pattern and a Fourier transform infrared spectrometer, respectively. Based on the above spectra and data (phonon energy is 634.71 cm⁻¹), it can be predicted that Nd³⁺/Ho³⁺ co-doped fluoride halide glass is a potential mid-infrared luminescent material.     

Synthesis and Spectral Properties of Nd^3＋： Gd3Ga5O12 Nanopowder for Transparent Laser Ceramics

Nd^3＋： Gd3Ga5O12（Nd ： GGG） nanopowder for transparent laser ceramics was synthesized using sol-gel method. XRD, SEM, and fluorescence spectrum were used to study the properties of Nd^3＋ ：Gd3Ga5O12 nanopowder. XRD patterns of samples show that it has a cubic structure. Meanwhile, pure Nd：GGG crystals were obtained at 1000 ℃ for 12 h. SEM photographs show that dispersed, uniform, ball-like Nd：GGG nanopowder is obtained. Both XRD and SEM results show that the crystallization degree and the grain size increase with the increase in calcining temperature. Analysis of fluorescence spectrum shows that fluorescence emission occurs at 1062.7 nm, which is the result of Nd^3＋ （^4F3/2→^4I11/2） transition. Homogenous Nd ： GGG nanopewder with a small grain size synthesized using the sol-gel method is favorable for sintering the transparent ceramic, which proves that the nanopewder obtained is suitable as a precursor for preparing GGG transparent ceramics.     

Preparation and characterization of Er3＋-Yb3＋-Ce3＋ co-doped transparent glass ceramic containing nano Cas（PO4）3F crystals

A transparent glass ceramic tri-doped with Ce3+/Er3+/Yb3+ was fabricated by the high-temperature melting technique and following heat-treatment.X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscope results demonstrated that Ca5(PO4)3F(FAP) nanocrystals,possessed with preferable emission performances for the 1.54 m transition for doping Er3+,were homogeneously precipitated among the glass matrix with a mean size of 30 nm.Addition of Ce3+ greatly enhanced 1.54 m fluorescence of Er3+ by the cross relaxation energy transfer between Er3+ and Ce3+.Meanwhile,incorporation of Ce3+ dramatically decreased the visible upconversion emission intensity of glass ceramic than that of glass,suggesting that Ce3+ might incorporate into the FAP nanocrystals.The properties of this transparent glass ceramic showed the potential application as an efficient 980 nm pumped infrared laser medium.     

Broadband 1.53 μm emission in Er-doped Ga-Bi-Pb-Ge heavy metal oxide glasses

We investigated the thermal stability and spectroscopic properties of the 1.53 μm emission from ⁴I_13/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transition of Er³⁺ ions in Er³⁺/Yb³⁺-codoped Ga-Bi-Pb-Ge heavy metal oxide glass for use in broadband fiber amplifiers. It was noted that the addition of GeO₂ effectively enhanced the thermal stability of the heavy metal oxide glass studied. The emission peak located at approximately 1530 nm with a full width at half-maximum of approximately 58 nm. The measured lifetime and the calculated emission cross-section of this transition were 3.2 ms and 10.3×10⁻²¹ cm², respectively. As a result, Ga-Bi-Pb-Ge heavy metal oxide glasses were assumed to be potential host material for the 1.53 μm broadband optical fiber amplifiers.     

Study on spectroscopic properties of GdOBr:RE (RE=Eu, Tb, Ce)

Rare earth ions doped gadolinium oxybromide phosphors GdOBr:RE³⁺ (RE=Eu, Tb, Ce) were synthesized by the method of solid-state reaction at high temperature, and the VUV-VIS spectroscopic properties of the phosphors were systematically investigated. Under the excitation of VUV or UV source, the phosphors doped with Eu³⁺ and Tb³⁺ show a bright and sharp emission at around 620 nm corresponding to the forced electric dipole ⁵D₀ → ⁷F₂ transition of Eu³⁺, and at around 544 nm corresponding to the ⁵D₄ → ⁷F₅ transition of Tb³⁺, respectively. For GdOBr:Ce³⁺, a broader and intense emission spanned 370–500 nm corresponding to the d-f transition of Ce³⁺ was observed. The excitation spectra were also analyzed.     

Intense upconversion luminescence of Er3+/Yb3+ codoped oxyfluoride borosilicate glass ceramics containing Ba2GdF7 nanocrystals

Er3+/Yb3+-codoped transparent oxyfluoride borosilicate glass ceramics containing Ba2GdF7 nanocrystals were prepared and spectroscopic properties of rare earth ions were investigated.Fluoride nanocrystals Ba2GdF7 were successfully precipitated in glass matrix,which was confirmed by X-ray diffraction(XRD)and transmission electron microscopy(TEM)results.In comparison with the as-made precursor,significant enhancement ofupconversion luminescence was observed in the Er3+/Yb3+codoped oxyfluoride glass ceramics,which may be due to the variation of coordination environment around Er3+and Yb3+ions after crystallization.The transition mechanisms of the green and red upconversion luminescence were ascribed to a two-photon process,and that of the blue upconversion luminescence was a three-photon process.     

Effect of Nd~(3+) on spectroscopic properties of lithium borate glasses

The spectroscopic properties of lithium borate glasses as a function of Nd3＋ ions concentration were reported.Optical absorption spectra of these glasses showed a number of absorption bands in ultra violet and visible region.Optical absorption edge was found to shift towards the longer wavelength（red shift） with increase in Nd2O3.Luminescence spectra revealed three major bands at 902, 1063 and 1334 nm which was due to 4F3/2→4I9/2, 11/2 ＆13/2 transitions of Nd3＋ ions.Luminescence intensity was maximum for 1 mol.% Nd2O3 and further increase in Nd2O3 resulted in luminescence quenching.The luminescence quenching behavior at higher concentration of Nd2O3 was attributed to the Nd3＋-Nd3＋ interaction in the glass matrix.An absorption and emission property of these glasses suggested that these glasses could be useful for 1.06 μm infrared laser applications.     

Characterization of Y2O2S： Eu^3＋, Mg^2＋, Ti^4＋ Long-Lasting Phosphor Synthesized by Flux Method

Long-lasting phosphor Y₂O₂S: Eu³⁺, Mg²⁺, Ti⁴⁺ was synthesized by a flux method and their luminescence properties were investigated. The result indicates that the unit cell parameter c is linearly increased with the increase of Eu₂O₃ content in Y₂O₂S: Eu_x³⁺ (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.10). On the other hand, the change of unit cell parameter a is not linear dependence. In the Y₂O₂S: Eu³⁺ crystal structure, Eu³⁺ ions only replaced Y³⁺ ions' places in which it posited center position of c axis. With the increase of Eu₂O₃ content, the position of the strongest emission peak changed from 540 nm (⁵D₁→⁷F₂ transition) to 626 nm (⁵D₀→⁷F₂ transition), and the maximum intensity was obtained when x = 0.09 in Y₂O₂S: Eu_x³⁺ (0.01 ≤ x ≤ 0.10). This is due to the environment of trivalent europium in the crystal structure of Y₂O₂S. Doping with Mg²⁺ or Ti⁴⁺ ions alone cannot get the good long-lasting afterglow effect, whereas co-doping with Mg²⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ ions and excited with 365 nm ultraviolet light, a strong thermoluminesence peak appeared, red and orange long-lasting phosphorescence (LLP) was also observed and the phosphorescence lasted nearly 3 h in the light perception of the dark-adapted human eye (0.32 mcd · m⁻²). Thus the LLP mechanism was analyzed.     

Upconversion emission of SrYbF5：Er3＋nanosheets modified by Tm3＋ions

Through a hydrothermal route, the Er3＋and Tm3＋co-doped SrYbF5 nanosheets were synthesized. The resulting samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and luminescence spec-tra. Under the excitation of 980 nm laser irradiation, the upconversion emissions of Tm3＋ions centered at 474 nm （1G4→3H6）, 679 nm （3F2→3H6）, 699 nm （3F3→3H6）, 803 nm （3H4→3H6） and emissions of Er3＋ions centered at 522 nm （2H11/2→4I15/2）, 543 nm （4S3/2→4I15/2）, 654 nm （4F9/2→4I15/2） were observed. The upconversion emissions of Er3＋ions were adjusted by the concentration of Tm3＋ions. The energy transfer mechanisms among Er3＋-Yb3＋-Tm3＋in SrYbF5 nanosheets were discussed.     

Spectral properties and energy transfer of Tm^3＋/Ho^3＋-codoped Ga2O3-Bi2O3-GeO2-PbO glasses

The 2.0 μm emission originating from Ho^3＋：^5I7→^5I8 were investigated upon excitation with 808 nm laser diode （LD） transition in Ho^3＋/Tm^3＋-codoped gallate-bismuth-germanium-lead glasses Energy transfer （ET） process between Tm^3＋： ^3F4 level and Ho^3＋： ^5I7 level was also discussed. It was noted that the measured peak wavelength and stimulated emission cross-section of Ho^3＋-doped bismuth-germanium-lead glasses were -2.02 μm and 5.1×10^-21 cm^2, respectively. Intense emission of Ho^3＋ in Tm^3＋/Ho^3＋-codoped GBPG glass were observed, which resulted from the ET between Tm^3＋： ^3F4 and Ho^3＋： ^5I7 level upon excitation with 808 nm LD.     

Structure,Upconversion and Fluorescence Properties of Er3+-Doped TeO2-TiO2-La2O3 Tellurite Glass

Tellurite glasses were generally applied in rare earth optical materials due to their excellent physical and chemical properties. In this study, novel tellurite glasses composed of TeO₂-TiO₂-La₂O₃ were prepared by conventional melting-quenching method. Some basic physical parameters such as density, refractive indices, transition temperature and crystalline temperature were measured. The structure was analyzed by Raman spectra. The absorption, upconversion and fluorescence spectra were measured by UV-Vis-NIR spectrophotometer and spectrofluorimeter. Under 980 nm laser excitation, upconversion luminescence centered at 531, 545 and 657 nm corresponding to the transition ⁴H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 respectively, were observed. The effects of TiO₂ concentration on structure and upconversion luminescence intensity were discussed. The result indicated that the upconversion intensity increased as the phonon concentration decreased. The fluorescence properties of Er³⁺ doped glass were also studied. The dominant peak centered at 1531 nm and full width at half maximum (FWHM) was 64 nm. The Er³⁺ stimulated emission cross-section was calculated on the basis of McCumber theory. The possible mechanism of upconvesion and fluorescence were proposed.     

Local vibration around rare earth ions in alkaline earth fluorosilicate transparent glass and glass ceramics using Eu probe

By heat treating the alkaline earth fluorosilicate glass, transparent glass ceramics containing alkaline earth fluoride nanocrystallites were prepared. The luminescence spectra and phonon sideband associated with the Eu^3＋：^5D2→^7F0 in glass and glass ceramics were investigated to analyze the local environment around Eu^3＋. Judd-Ofelt parameters were also calculated from emission spectra, which indicated that the Eu^3＋ ions entered the precipitated CaF2, SrF2, and BaF2 nanocrystallites. Heat treating could not pledge Eu^3＋ ions to coordinate with F^- in the precipitated MgF2 nanocrystallites, owing to the smaller radius of Mg^2＋ than that of Eu^3＋.     

Preparation and upconversion luminescence of monodisperse Gd2O3：Ho^3＋,Yb^3＋ nanocrystals

Gd2O3:Ho3+,Yb3+ nanocrystals were synthesized via solvothermal method.X-ray diffraction(XRD),transmission electron microscopy(TEM),absorption and upconversion spectra were employed to characterize the synthesized nanocrystals.The results of XRD and TEM showed that obtained Gd2O3:Ho3+,Yb3+ nanocrystals were cubic in crystal structure and uniform spherical in morphology.The average crystallite size was calculated to be 7.5 nm.Green and red up-conversion emissions corresponding to(5F4,5S2)→5I8 and 5F5 → 5I8 transition were observed upon 980 nm excitation at room temperature.The results indicated that both green and red luminescence were based on the two-photon processes.Laser power and doping concentration dependence of the upconverted emissions were studied to understand the upconversion mechanisms.Excited state absorption and energy-transfer processes were discussed as the possible mechanisms for the visible emissions.