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.     

Preparation and Upconversion Luminescence of Y3Al5O12 ： Yb^3＋ , Er^3＋ Trapsparent Ceramics

YAG： 1% （atom fraction） Yb^3＋ , 0.5% （atom fraction） Er3＋ transparent ceramics were fabricated by the solid state reaction method using high-purity Y2O3, Al2O3, Yb2O3, and Er2O3 powders as starting materials. The mixed powder compact was sintered at 1760 ℃ for 6 h in vacuum and annealed at 1500 ℃ for 10 h in an air atmosphere. The ceramics consisted of about 10μm grains and exhibited a pore-free structure. The optical transmittance of the ceramics at 1064 nm was nearly 80%. Upconversion emissions were investigated on the ceramics pumped by a 980 nm continuous wave diode laser, and strong green emission centered at 523 and 559 nm and red emission centered at 669 nm were observed, which originated from the radiative transitions of ^2H11/2→^4I15/2, ^4S3/2→^4I15/2, and ^4F9/2→^4I15/2 of Er^3＋ ions, respectively.     

Luminescence properties of Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋, Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ and Ho^3＋/Yb^3＋ activated calcium tungstate

CaWO4 phosphor activated by the Tm3+/Yb3+,Er3+/Yb3+ and Ho3+/Yb3+ ions were synthesized by a traditional high-temperature solid-state method.The crystal structures and morphologies of the products were characterized by X-ray powders diffraction method(XRD) ,infrared spectra(FT-IR) and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) .The samples were found to show up-conversion luminescence properties.CaWO4 doped with Tm3+/Yb3+ showed blue luminescence characteristic of Tm(III) ion in the range of 460-485 nm,corresponding to the 1G4→3H6 electronic transition.CaWO4 doped with Er3+/Yb3+ showed strong green luminescence at 510-565 nm(2H11/2,4S3/2→4I15/2) and weak red luminescence at 640-685 nm(4F9/2→4I15/2) of Er(III) ion.CaWO4 doped with Ho3+/Yb3+ phosphor emitted green luminescence at 525-560 nm(5S2,5F4→5I8) and red luminescence at 630-670 nm(5F5→5I8) and at 730-770 nm(5S2,5F4→5I7) ,which is the characteristic of Ho(III) ion.     

Upconversion of Er^3＋ Ions in LiKGdF5 ： Er^3＋ , Dy^3＋ Single Crystal Produced by Infrared and Green Laser

The upconversion fluorescence of Er^3＋ ions in LiKGdF5 ： Er^3＋, Dy^3＋ single crystal was studied under 785, 514.5, and 980 nm laser excitation. With the laser excitation set at 785 nm, strong green （centered at 543 nm） upconversion emissions, as well as weak red （651 nm）, violet （406 nm）, and blue （470 nm） upconversion emissions were obtained. With 514.5 nm laser excitation, violet （406 nm） and blue （470 nm） upconversion emissions were observed. Under 980 nm laser excitation, strong green （543 nm） and weak red （651） emissions were also obtained. The laser power dependence of the upconverted emissions was investigated to understand the upconversion mechanism. The excited state absorption （ESA） and the energy transfer （ET） processes were discussed as the possible mechanisms for all upconversion emissions.     

Green up-conversion luminescence in Yb^3＋-Pr^3＋ co-doped BaRE2ZnO5（RE=Y,Gd）

Yb3＋and Pr3＋co-doped BaRE2 ZnO5（RE=Y,Gd） up-conversion（UC） phosphors were successfully synthesized by a modified sol-gel method.The processing parameters and optimal concentration of Pr3＋and Yb3＋were determined.The structures and luminescent properties of samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction（XRD） and photoluminescence spectra（PL）.With the excitation of 980 nm laser diode,UC spectra showed five prominent emission bands centered at 484,514,546,656 and 670 nm,which were attributed to the1I6 →3H4,3P1 →3H4,3P0 →3H5,3P0 →3F2 and3P0 →3F3 transitions of Pr3＋,respectively.In the light of the pump power dependence,the possible UC mechanism in Yb3＋and Pr3＋co-doped BaRE2 ZnO5（RE=Y,Gd） was proposed and discussed.     

Luminescence of Er^3＋ in Oxyfluoride Transparent Glass-Ceramics

Erbium doped silicate, germanate, and tellurium-germanate oxyfluoride glasses were prepared in a bulk form. Through appropriate heat treatment of the as-prepared glasses, transparent glass-ceramics (TGCs) were obtained with the formation of β-PbF2∶Er3 nanocrystals in the glass matrix were confirmed by X-ray diffraction. Well-defined diffraction peaks were observed in the samples after heat-treatment. The average crystal diameter of these precipitated crystals from full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) of the diffraction peak was estimated to be between 8 and 13 nm. Optical absorption, photoluminescence, and upconversion luminescence were measured on as-prepared glass and glass-ceramics. Luminescence spectra in the TGC samples revealed well-resolved, sharp stark-splitting peaks, which indicates that a majority of Er3 ions has been incorporated into the crystalline phase of the nanocrystals. The intensity of the visible and near infrared luminescence mostly increases in TSG compared to that in the as-prepared glass. In 1.53 μm absorption and emission bands, the maximum absorption peak is blue-shifted from 1531 to 1507 nm, whereas the maximum emission peak is red-shifted from 1535 to 1543 nm in TGC, as compared with that in glass. The bandwidth at half-maximum (BWHM) of the emission band is significantly broader in TGC than in glass, which is beneficial to the erbium-doped fiber amplifier (EDFA). Upconversion luminescence was measured using 800 nm near-infrared light excitation. Drastically increased upconversion luminescence was observed from the TGC as compared to that from their corresponding as-prepared glasses. In addition to a strong green emission centered at 545 nm because of 4S3/2→4I15/2 transition and a weaker red emission centered at 662 nm because of 4F9/2→4I15/2 transition, generally seen from the Er3 doped glasses, two violet emissions centered at 410 nm because of 2H9/2→4I15/2 transition and centered at 379 nm because of 4G11/2→4I15/2 transition were also observed from the TGC. The increased luminescence was attributed to the decreased effective phonon energy and the increased energy transfer between the excited ions when Er3 ions were incorporated into the precipitated β-PbF2 nanocrystals. The results indicated two attractive spectroscopic properties of the Er3 doped TGC samples, compared to glass samples, namely a reduced multiphonon decay rate and a reduced inhomogeneous broadening. In addition, these oxyfluoride TGC materials were robust, easy and flexibile to process, and possible to be fabricated in the fiber form for device applications.     

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 and frequency upconversion in Er~（3＋）-Yb~（3＋） codoped oxy-fluoro-tungstosilicate glasses

Er3+-Yb3+ codoped oxy-fluoro-tungstosilicate glasses with infrared-to-visible frequency upconversion luminescence were prepared by melting quenching in air.The effects of Er3+ doping on the optical properties of the samples were measured by means of techniques such as optical absorption spectra and photoluminescence spectra.The results showed that intense green and red signals centered at 546 and 665 nm,corresponding to the 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ by a multiphoton stepwise phonon-assisted excited-state absorption process,respectively,were simultaneously observed by exciting the samples with a diode laser operating at 980 nm at room temperature.The upconversion process was found very sensitive to Er3+ content at a constant Yb2O3 content of 5 mol.%.With the increase of Er3+ content from 0.5% to 1.5%,the upconversion intensity increased gradually.Further increasing of Er3+ content to 3.0% resulted in a significant fluorescence quenching.Moreover,the possible upconversion mechanisms were discussed based on the energy-matching conditions and the quadratic dependence on excitation power.     

Polarized spectral analysis of Er3+ ions in Er3+/yb3+:LiLa(MoO4)2 crystal

Optical characteristics and upconversion dynamics of Er3+ in Er3+/Yb3+:LiLa(MoO4)2 crystals were investigated. The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and the fluorescence decay curves were analyzed at room temperature. The infrared emission at 1538 nm and visible emissions at 520–569 and 640–670 nm, corresponding to 2H11/2,4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F9/2→4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions, were simultaneously observed in Er3+/Yb3+:LiLa(MoO4)2 crystals under 976 nm excitation at room temperature. The maximal emission cross-section near 1530 nm for π-polarization was 0.63×10–20 cm2 and the measured lifetime of 4I13/2 was 4.88 ms. The upconversion process was involved in sequential two-phonon processes, either the energy transfer from Yb3+ ions or by the excited state absorption.     

Green, orange, and red upconversion luminescence in Nd~(3 )/Yb~(3 ): Cs_2NaGdCl_6 powders under 785 nm laser excitation

Nd3 :Cs2NaGdCl6 and Nd3 , Yb3 :Cs2NaGdCl6 polycrystalline powder samples were prepared by Morss method E. Under 785 nm semiconductor laser pumping, the upconversion luminescence of Nd3 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 Nd3 ion concentration were investigated, to explore the upconversion mechanism. The effect of doping Yb3 ions on the upconversion luminescence of Nd3 in Cs2NaGdCl6 was also studied under 785 nm laser excitation. The energy transfer processes were discussed as the possible mecha-nism for the above upconversion emissions.     

Synthesis and upconversion luminescence properties of NaYF4：yb^3＋/Er^3＋ microspheres

Cubic NaYF4:yb3+(20%)/Er3+(1%) microspheres were synthesized by EDTA-assisted hydrothermal method. Under 980 nm exci-tation, ultraviolet (4G11/2→4I15/2), violet (2H9/2→4I15/2), grogn (4F7/2→4I15/2, 2H11/2→4I15/2, and 4S3/2→4I15/2), and red (4F9/2→4I15/2) upconversion fluorescence were observed. The number of laser photons absorbed in one upconversion excitation process, n, was determined to be 3.89, 1.61, 2.55, and 1.09 for the ultraviolet, violet, green, and red emissions, respectively. Obviously, n=3.89 indicated that a four-photon process was involved in populating the 4G11/2 state, and n=2.55 indicated that a three-photon process was involved in populating the 4F7/2/2H<11/2>4S3/2 levels. For the violet and red emissions, the population of the states 2H9/2 and 4F9/2 separately came from three-photon and two-photon proc-esses. The decrease of n was well explained by the mechanism of competition between linear decay and upconversion processes for the de-pletion of the intermediate excited states.     

Infrared to ultraviolet upconversion luminescence in Nd doped nano-glass-ceramic

Nd^3＋ doped transparent oxyfiuoride glass ceramic containing β-YF3 nanocrystals was prepared and the upconversion luminescence behaviors of Nd^3＋ in the precursor glass and glass ceramic were investigated. Under 796 nm laser excitation, ultraviolet upconversion emissions of Nd^3＋ ions at 354 nm （^4D3/2→^4I11/2） 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 Nd^3＋ ions and the decrease in phonon energy because of the partition of Nd^3＋ ions into the β-YF3 nanocrystals after crystallization.     

Energy transfer processes from Yb3＋ to Ln3＋ （Ln=Er or Tm） in heavy metal glasses

Heavy metal glasses doubly doped with Yb3+ and Ln3+ ions(Ln=Er or Tm) were studied. Glass host matrices were limited to lead borate glass and lead germanate glass. Efficient resonant(Yb3+-Er3+) and non-resonant(Yb3+-Tm3+) energy transfer was observed for the studied systems. Near-infrared luminescence spectra at 1.53 μm(Er3+) and 1.9 μm(Tm3+) were detected under excitation of Yb3+ by 975 nm diode laser line. They corresponded to 4I13/2→4I15/2(Er3+) and 3F4→3H6(Tm3+) transitions of rare earth ions, respectively. The unusual large spectral linewidth nearly close to 110 nm for 4I13/2→4I15/2 transition of Er3+ ions in lead borate glass was obtained, whereas long-lived near-infrared luminescence at 1.53 μm was detected in lead germanate glass. Quite different situation was observed for Yb3+-Tm3+ doubly doped glasses. In contrast to lead borate glass, near-infrared(3F4→3H6) luminescence spectra were registered for Tm3+ ions in lead germanate glasses, only. These phenomena strongly depended on stretching vibrations of glass host, which was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy.     

Preparation and Upconversion Luminescence of Y3Al5O12∶Yb3+, Er3+ Transparent Ceramics

YAG:1% (atom fraction) Yb3 , 0.5% (atom fraction) Er3 transparent ceramics were fabricated by the solid state reaction method using high-purity Y2O3, Al2O3, Yb2O3, and Er2O3 powders as starting materials. The mixed powder compact was sintered at 1760 ℃ for 6 h in vacuum and annealed at 1500 ℃ for 10 h in an air atmosphere. The ceramics consisted of about 10 μm grains and exhibited a pore-free structure. The optical transmittance of the ceramics at 1064 nm was nearly 80%. Upconversion emissions were investigated on the ceramics pumped by a 980 nm continuous wave diode laser, and strong green emission centered at 523 and 559 nm and red emission centered at 669 nm were observed, which originated from the radiative transitions of 2H11/2→4I15/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2, and 4F9/2→4I15/2 of Er3 ions, respectively.     

Photoluminescence properties of Sm3＋-doped LiY（Mo04）2 red phosphors

A series of novel Sm3＋-doped LiY（MoO4）2 red phosphors under the UV excitation were synthesized by solid state reaction at 800 ℃ for 7 h. The data measured by X-ray diffraction （XRD） indicated that the samples were all pure phases of LiY（MoO4）2. Their excitation spectra had a broad band ranging from 250 to 350 nm and several sharp peaks. The centers of the peaks were located at about 365 nm （6H5/2→4D3/2）, 378 nm （6H5/2→rp7/2）, 406 nm （6H5/2→4FT/2）, 420 nm （6H5/2→6ps/2）, 442 nm （6H5/2→4Gg/2）, 471 nm （6H5/2→4I13/2） and 482 nm （6H5/2→419/2）, respectively. The strongest emission was excited by 406 nm, and the main emissions were located at 568 nm （4G5/2→6Hs/2）, 610 nm （4Gs/2→rH7/2）, 649 nm （4G5/2→6H9/2） and 710 nm （4Gs/2→6HII/2）. Photoluminescence prop- erties were determined for various concentrations of Sm3＋-doped LiY（MoO4）2 host, and the luminescence intensity had the best value when x=0.02 in LiYix（MoO4）2：xSm3＋.     

A novel long lasting phosphor Sr5 （PO4）3FxCll_x：Eu2＋,Gd3＋ prepared in air condition

A series of blue long afterglow mixed halide-phosphate phosphors Sr5 （PO4）3 FxCll-x：Eu2＋,Gd3＋ were synthesized in air by traditional solid-state reaction routte. The crystal structures, photoluminescence, thermolurninescenee properties and afterglow proper- ties of the phosphors were characterized systematically using X-ray diffraction （XRD）, luminescence spectrophotometer, microcom- puter thermoluminescence dosimeter and single photon counter, respectively. Under 280 nm excitation, the broadband emissions of Eu2＋ ions were observed at 445 nm （blue） due to the 4f7→4f65d transition. It was demonstrated that there existed the self-reduction of the Eu3＋ to Eu2＋ ions in this special halide-phosphate matrix in air condition. The addition of Gd3＋ ions obviously enhanced the after- glow properties of the single doped Eu2＋ ions in the halide-phosphate phosphors. And the content of the fluoride anions also had sig- nificant influence on the afterglow properties. All results indicated that Srs （PO4）3 FxCI1-x：Eu2＋,Gd3＋ might be potential phosphors for long lasting phosphorescence （LLP） materials.     

Structure Property and Visible Upconversion of Er^3＋ Doped Gd2O3 Nanocrystals

Gd2O3:Er nanoparticles were prepared by a simple sol-gel method, The structure properties ot Gd2O3:Er were studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The visible up-converted luminescence spectra of Er^3 were investigated under excitation to ^4I9/2 level by 785nm laser. Laser power, Er^3 ion concentration and temperature dependences of the upconverted emissions were investigated to understand the upconversion mechanisms. Excited state absorption and energy transfer process are discussed as the possible mechanisms for the upconversion.     

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.     

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.     

Synthesis and optical properties of Dy~（3＋）, Li~＋ doped CaMoO_4 phosphor

A series of CaMoO4 phosphors doped with trivalent dysprosium ions (Dy3+) and lithium (Li+) were prepared by solid state method at 750 °C for 3 h. X-ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed the crystal structure and quality of phosphors. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in- dicated that the phosphors presented good crystalline state, and the crystalline grain sizes were about 0.5-3.0 μm. The emission spectra showed that the phosphors had intense emission at 480 (4F9/2→6H15/2), 576 (4F9/2→6H13/2) and 660 nm (4F9/2→6...