A study on microstructure and luminescent properties of oxyfluoride silicate glass-ceramics with (Ho,Yb):NaYF4 crystallites

Glass-ceramics containing NaYF₄ nanocrystals were prepared by heat-treatment from oxyfluoride silicate-based glass doped with Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions. The formation of crystalline fluoride phase was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Absorption and emission spectra revealed that a fraction of Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions is incorporated into the NaYF₄ ordered lattice influencing spectroscopic features of glass-ceramics in comparison with those of precursor glass. Green up-conversion emission (545 nm) originating in the ⁵S₂ level in glass-ceramics and up-converted red emission (650 nm) originating in the ⁵F₅ level in as-melted glass were observed under optical pumping into Yb³⁺ absorption band and analyzed. Although both emissions in both materials are achieved by two-photon excitations, the relation between green and red emission intensity in glass-ceramics and glass implies that processes relevant to up-conversion phenomena are different. Based on a careful analysis of relaxation dynamics of Ho³⁺ and Yb³⁺ excited states, the mechanisms involved in conversion of the infrared radiation into the visible emission in these materials are proposed and discussed.