Photoluminescent properties of Eu3＋ and Tb3＋ codoped Gd2O3 nanowires and bulk materials

In this paper, the Gd2O3：Eu3＋,Tb3＋phosphors with different doping concentrations of Eu3＋and Tb3＋ions were prepared by a hydrothermal method for nanocrystals and the solid-phase method for microcrystals. The interaction of the doped ions with different concentrations and the luminescent properties of the nanocrystals and microcrystals were studied systematically. Their structure and morphology of Gd2O3：Eu3＋,Tb3＋phosphors were analyzed by means of X-ray powder diffraction （XRD）, transmission electron mi-croscopy （TEM） and scanning electron microscopy （SEM）. The photoluminescence （PL） properties of Gd2O3：Eu3＋,Tb3＋phosphors were also systematically investigated. The results indicated that when the concentration of doped Eu3＋was fixed at 1 mol.%, the emis-sion intensity of Eu3＋ions was degenerating with Tb3＋content increasing, while when the Tb3＋content was fixed at 1 mol.%, the emission intensity of Tb3＋ions reached a maximum when the concentration of Eu3＋was 2 mol.%, implying that the energy transfer from Eu3＋to Tb3＋took place. In addition, Tb3＋could inspire blue-green light and the Eu3＋could inspire red light. Therefore co-doping systems by controlling the doping concentration and the hosts are the potential white emission materials.     

Up-conversion of Er3＋/yb3＋ co-doped transparent glass-ceramics containing Ba2LaF7 nanocrystals

The up-conversion of Er3+/Yb3+co-doped transparent glass-ceramics 50SiO2-10AlF3-5TiO2-30BaF2-4LaF3-0.5ErF3-0.5YbF3 containing Ba2 LaF7 nanocrystals under the changing of heat treatment temperature and time were investigated.The Ba2 LaF7 nanocrystals precipitated from the glass matrix was confirmed by X-ray diffraction(XRD).The structural investigation carried out by XRD and transmission electron microscopy(TEM) evidenced the formation of cubic Ba2 LaF7 nanocrystals with crystal size of about 14 nm.Comparing with the samples before heat treatment,the high efficiency up-conversion emission of Er3+/Yb3+co-doped samples was observed in the glass-ceramics under 980 nm laser diode excitation.The increase in red emission intensity bands was stronger than the green bands when the crystal size increased.The mechanism for the up-conversion process in the glass-ceramics and the reasons for the increase of Er3+/Yb3+co-doped up-conversion intensity after heat treatment were discussed.     

Tm^3＋-doped tellurite glass with Yb^3＋ energy sensitized for broadband amplifier at 1400-1700 nm bands

A kind of novel experiment was disclosed as it possessed two bands of fluorescence emission at 1.4 and 1.6 μm, which were perfectly complimentary to the current C band of optic communication. The fluorescence was based on energy transfer and up-conversion processes between Tm^3＋ and Yb^3＋ under direct pumping of 975 nm LD. The spectra and lifetimes of Tm^3＋ fluorescence in the tellurite glass were described. The corresponding fluorescence characteristics and energy migration process were analyzed by the method of lifetime and intensity comparison. The mechanism of the up-conversion based IR fluorescence was presented upon analyzing the multi-photon pumping process. The potential advantages of Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped tellurite glass as amplifier material were concluded.     

Luminescent properties and energy transfer of color-tunable Sr3Y2（SiO3）6：Ce3＋,Tb3＋ phosphors

Phosphors with controlled emission spectra are of great interest due to their application for white light emitting diodes.Herein, a new class of Sr3Y2（SiO3）6：Ce3＋,Tb3＋ phosphors were synthesized by a facile sol-gel combustion method. The phase structure,morphology, and luminescence properties of the phosphors were characterized by using powder X-ray diffraction（XRD）, scanning electron microscopy（SEM）, transmission electron microscopy（TEM）, and photoluminescence excitation and emission spectra,respectively. The results on luminescence properties indicated that co-doped Ce3＋ ions served as UV-light sensitizers with excitation energy partially transferred to Tb3＋ ions, leading to green emission from Tb3＋. Particularly, the corresponding emitting colors of the phosphors could be well-tuned from deep blue（0.16, 0.05） to green region（0.25, 0.45） by adjusting the molar ratio of Ce3＋/Tb3＋.     

Recent progress on upconversion luminescence enhancement in rare-earth doped transparent glass-ceramics

The upconversion(UC) of the rare earth doped glass-ceramics has been extensively investigated due to their potential applications in many fields, such as color display, high density memories, optical data storage, sensor and energy solar cell, etc. Many series of them, especially the oxyfluorides glasses containing Ba2 LaF 7 nanocrystals were studied in this review work, due to the thermal and mechanical toughness, high optical transmittance from the ultraviolet to the infrared regions, and a low nonlinear refractive index compared to the other commercial laser glasses. Moreover, the energy transfer(ET) between the rare earth ions and transition metals plays an important role in the upconversion process. The cooperative ET has been researched very activly in UC glasses due to applications in the fields of solar cells, such as in the Er/Yb, Tm/Yb, Tb/Yb, Tb/Er/Yb and Tm/Er/Yb couples. The present article reviews on the recent progress made on:(i) upconversion materials with fluoride microcrystals in glasses and the mechanisms involved, including the UC in double and tri-dopant RE ions activated fluoride microcrystal, energy transfer process; and(ii) the effect of the metal Mn and nanoparticles of Au, Ag, Cu on the enhancement of UC emissions. Discussions have also been made on materials, material synthesis, the structural and emission properties of glass-ceramics. Additionally, the conversion efficiency is still a challenge for the spectra conversion materials and application; challenge and future advances have also been demonstrated.     

Energy transfer in Tb~（3＋）,Yb~（3＋） codoped Lu_2O_3 near-infrared downconversion nanophosphors

Tb3+ and Yb3+ codoped Lu2O3 nanophosphors were synthesized by the reverse-strike co-precipitation method. The obtained Lu2O3:Tb3+,Yb3+ nanophosphors were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra. The XRD results showed that all the prepared nanophosphors could be readily indexed to pure cubic phase of Lu2O3 and indicated good crystallinity. The Tb3+→Yb3+ energy transfer mechanisms in the UV-blue region in Lu2O3 nanophosphors were investigated. The experimental results showed that the strong visible emission around 543 nm from Tb3+ (5D4→7F5) and near-infrared (NIR) emission around 973 nm from Yb3+ (2F5/2→2F7/2) of Lu2O3:Tb3+,Yb3+ nanophosphors were observed under ultraviolet light excitation, respectively. Tb3+ could be effectively excited up to its 4f75d1 state and relaxed down to the 5D4 level, from which the energy was transferred cooperatively to two neighboring Yb3+. The Yb3+ concentration dependent luminescent properties and lifetimes of both the visible and NIR emissions were also studied. The lifetime of the visible emission decreased with the increase of Yb3+ concentration, verifying the efficient energy transfer from the Tb3+ to the Yb3+. Cooperative energy transfer (CET) from Tb3+ to Yb3+ was discussed as a possible mechanism for the near-infrared emission. When doped concentrations were 1 mol.% Tb3+ and 2 mol.% Yb3+, the intensity of NIR emission was the strongest.     

Quenching mechanism of Er^3＋ emissions in Er^3＋-and Er^3＋/Yb^3＋-doped SrAl12O19 nanophosphors

Nanoscaled SrAl12O19:Er3+ and SrAl12O19:Yb3+,Er3+ phosphors were synthesized by a combustion method.The emission intensities of every sample were compared by a new method with the emission of codoped Gd3+ ions as a reference.Compared with their bulk material prepared by the solid-state reaction method,a higher Er3+ quenching concentration,as high as 20%,was observed in the nanoscaled phosphors for both visible(VIS) and near infrared(NIR) emissions.The higher quenching concentration in both VIS and NIR regions for nanoscaled samples are related to the structure characteristics of the nano particles.The influence of the introduction of Yb3+ ions on the emission spectra intensity was also investigated and discussed.     

Spectroscopic Properties of Nd^3＋ -Doped High Silica Glass Prepared by Sintering Porous Glass

A new kind of Nd^3＋-doped high silica glass （SiO2 〉 96% （mass fraction）） was obtained by sintering porous glass impregnated with Nd^3 ＋ ions. The absorption and luminescence properties of high silica glass doped with different Nd^3 ＋ concentrations were studied. The intensity parameters Ωt （t = 2, 4, 6）, spontaneous emission probability, fluorescence lifetime, radiative quantum efficiency, fluorescence branching ratio, and stimulated emission cross section were calculated using the Judd-Ofelt theory. The optimal Nd^3＋ concentration in high silica glass was 0.27% （mole fraction） because of its high quantum efficiency and emission intensity. By comparing the spectroscopic parameters with other Nd^3 ＋- doped oxide glasses and commercial silicate glasses, the Nd^3 ＋ -doped high silica glasses are likely to be a promising material used for high power and high repetition rate lasers.     

Structural studies of BaTiO3：Er3＋ and BaTiO3：Yb3＋ powders synthesized by hydrothermal method

Erbium and ytterbium doped barium titanate nanopowders were prepared using the hydrothermal method. A barium titanate structure doped with rare earth ions manifested new characteristics and improved the field of application of optical devices such as trichromatic tubes, LCD displays, lamps, and infrared lasers. In this work, BaTiO3：Er3＋ and BaTiO3：Yb3＋ were prepared using barium chloride [BaCl2], titanium butoxide [C16H36O4Ti], erbium chloride [ErCl3] and ytterbium chloride [YbCl3] as precursors. Anhydrous methanol was employed as a solvent. Metallic potassium was used to promote solubility in the system and increase the pH to 13. This method yielded the formation of a predominantly cubic structure in both Er3＋ and Yb3＋ doped BaTiO3 powders. Characteristic bondings of BaTiO3 were observed with FT-IR spectroscopy. The predominantly cubic structure was confirmed by X-ray diffraction and micro-Raman analyses. The particle size（～30 nm） was estimated using the Scherrer equation and X-ray diffraction data. The results were presented and discussed.     

Emission of Eu3＋ in sol-gel oxyfluoride glass materials obtained by different preparation methods

Silica glasses doped with Eu3+ ions prepared by sol-gel methods were investigated. The X-ray diffraction(XRD) was used to verify the nature of the studied systems. Excitation and emission spectra of Eu3+ ions in sol-gel glass materials were detected. Red-to-orange luminescence intensity ratios R/O related to integrated intensities of 5D0→7F2 to 5D0→7F1 transitions and luminescence lifetimes for 5D0 state of Eu3+ ions were determined. The results indicated that spectroscopic parameters for Eu3+ ions strongly depended on reagents and their relative ratios used for sol-gel glass preparation.     

Preparation and Luminescence of Er^3＋ Doped Oxyfluoride Glass Ceramics Containing LaF3 Nanocrystals

Er^3＋ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics version and near infrared luminescence behavior of Er^3＋ in containing LaF3 nanocrystals were prepared and the up-conglasses heat-treating time and temperature, the size （varied from 0 to 19 and glass ceramics were investigated. With increasing nm） and crystallinity （varied from 0 to 47%） of LaF3 nanocrystals in the glass ceramics are increased. The up-conversion luminescence intensity of Er^3＋ ions in the glass ceramics is much stronger than that in the glasses The near infrared emission of Er^3＋ ions in and increased significantly with increasing heat-treating time and temperature the glass ceramics is found to be similar to that in the glasses.     

Pressure and temperature dependent up-conversion properties of Yb3＋-Er3＋ co-doped BaBi4Ti4015 ferroelectric ceramics

Yb^3＋ and Er^3＋ co-doped BaBi4Ti4015 （BBT） ceramic samples showed brighter up-conversion photoluminescence （UC-PL） under excitation of 980 nm. The monotonous increase of fluorescence intensity ratio （FIR） from 525 to 550 nm with temperature showed that this material could be used for temperature sensing with the maximum sensitivity to be 0.0046 KI and the energy dif- ference was 700 cm-1. Moreover, the sudden change of red and green emissions around 400 ℃might imply a phase transition. With increasing pressure up to 4 GPa, the PL intensity decreased but was still strong enough. These results illustrated the wide applications of BBT in high temperature and high pressure conditions.     

Role of monovalent co-dopants on the PL emission properties of YAI3（BO3）4：Ce3＋ phosphor

The cerium （Ce3＋） doped yttrium aluminium borate （YAB） phosphor was synthesized by modified solid state reaction. The phosphor＇s phase purity and its emission properties were studied using powder X-ray diffraction pattern and photoluminescence spectroscopy. The synthesized YAB had rhomobohedral crystal structure. The phosphor had two different excitation and emission spectra. By 325 nm excitation, the phosphor had emission at 373 nm and with 363 nm excitation; the phosphor gave violet-blue emission at 418 nm. The UV emission of the phosphor originated due to Ce3＋ ions at the yttrium site and violet-blue emission owing to Ce3＋ ions at non-regular sites viz., A13＋ and interstitial sites. The emission intensity of the phosphor was enhanced when monovalent ions （K＋, Na＋, and F） were added as co-dopants. The crucial role of ionic radii of monovalent co-dopants on the emission enhancement of the YAB：Ce3＋ phosphor was reported. Thermogravimetric study showed that the YAB possessed high thermal stability at up to 900 ℃.     

Up-conversion luminescence properties of Yb^3＋ and Ho^3＋ co-doped Bi3.84W0.16O6.24 powder synthesized by hydrothermal method

Using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the surfactant, Bi3.84W0.16O6.24 up-conversion luminescence nano-crystal co-doped with Yb3+ and Ho3+ ions was synthesized by the hydrothermal method. The structure and properties of luminescence powder were studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). It was of cubic system when the sample was synthesized at a low temperature and the particle size was about 30 nm. The results showed that adding surfactants was useful to improve the powder agglomeration and the grain crystal was spherical. The green emission peak at 546 nm and red emission peak at 655 nm, corresponding to the ( 5F4, 5S2)→ 5 I 8 and the 5 F 5 → 5 I 8 transitions of Ho 3+ , respectively, were simultaneously observed at room temperature under excitation of 980 nm semiconductor laser. The up-conversion luminescence intensity was the strongest when the concentration ratio of Yb3+ /Ho3+ was 6:1 and the concentration of Ho 3+ ion was 1.5 mol.%. The up-conversion mechanism was also studied. The green and red emission peaks were the two-photon absorption according to the relationship between the pump power and the luminescence intensity.     

Luminescent Properties of Green Phosphor Ca8Mg（SiO4 ）4 Cl2：EU^2＋ , DY^3＋ for LED Applications

The new phosphor calcium magnesium chlorosilicate, codoped with Eu^2＋ and Dy^3＋, was synthesized with the help of the high temperature solid state reaction in reducing atmosphere. The excitation and emission spectra were very similar to that of Ca8Mg（SiO4）4Cl2 ：Eu^2＋, and the Dy^3＋ concentration influenced the emission intensity of this phosphor. The intensity of Eu^2＋ and Dy^3＋ codoped CMSC was stronger than that of Eu^2＋ singly doped CMSC. The emission spectrum of the Dy^3＋ ion overlapped the absorption band of the Eu^2＋ ion, indicating that an energy transfer from Dy^3＋ to Eu^2＋ took place in CMSC：Eu^2＋, Dy^3＋ phosphor. The mechanism of the energy transfer from Dy^3＋ tO Eu^2＋, in this phosphor, might be resonant energy transfer.     

Tb^3＋ concentration dependent optical properties and energy transfer in GdF3 nanocrystals

By controlling the concentration of Tb3＋, a series of GdF3 samples were synthesized by a hydrothermal method without any surfactant. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction （XRD） patterns, field emission scanning electron microscopy （FE-SEM） images, photoluminescence （PL） excitation and emission spectra as well as luminescent dynamic decay curves. The opti-cal properties of Tb3＋, the concentration quenching phenomenon of Tb3＋, and the energy transfer from host Gd3＋to Tb3＋were inves-tigated and discussed based on the concentration of Tb3＋in the GdF3 samples. The experimental results suggested that the optical properties of Tb3＋and the energy transfer from host Gd3＋to Tb3＋could be adjusted by the concentration of Tb3＋in the samples.     

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.     

Effects of Doping Trace Sm^3＋ and Gd^3＋ on Luminescent Character of Y2O2S：Eu^3＋

After trace Sm^3＋ ions and Gd^3＋ ions doping, the emission intensity of red phosphors Y2O2S： Eu^3 ＋ was enhanced and the voltage character （relation between emission intensity and excitation voltage） was improved while the other properties of physics and chemistry were not changed. The origins of enhancement and improvement are discussed. Probably the distortion and the defect of crystals are decreased by the substitution of Gd^3＋ for Y^3＋ instead of Eu^3＋ for Y^3＋ , and thus the Eu^3＋ crystal field is improved, and radiationless process and energy loss resulted from crystal defect are weakened, which leads to increased luminescence intensity and voltage character improvement. The overlapping fluorescent spectra of Y2O2S： Sm^3＋ emission and Y2O2S：Eu^3＋ excitation as well as Eu^3 ＋ excitation spectra transitions spectra lead to energy transfer from Sm^3 ＋ sensitization of Sm^3＋ ions fectively. containing Sm^3＋ excitation the possibility of resonance ions to Eu^3＋ ions, and the to Eu^3＋ ions is achieved effectively.     

Nanocrystals precipitation and up-conversion luminescence in Yb^3＋-Tm^3＋ co-doped oxyfluoride glasses

Rare earth ions doped oxyfluoride glass with composition of 28SiO2·22AlO1.5·40PbF2·10PbO·（4.8-x） GdFy0.1NdF3.xYbF3·0.1TmF3 （x=-0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 4.8） in molar ratio was developed. When the oxyfluoride glasses were heat-treated at the first crystallization temperature, the glasses gave transparent glass-ceramics in which rare earth containing fluorite-type nanocrystals of about 17.2 nm in diameter uniformly precipitated in the glass matrix. Compared with the glasses before heat treatment, the glass-ceramics exhibited very strong blue up-conversion luminescence under 800 nm light excitation. Rare earth containing nanocrystals were also space selectively precipitated upon laser irradiation in an oxyfluoride glass, the size of precipitated nanocrystals could be controlled by laser power and scan speed. The intensity of the blue up-conversion luminescence was strongly dependent on the precipitation of β-PbF2 nanocrystal and the YbF3 concentration. The reasons for the highly efficient Tm^3＋ up-conversion luminescence after laser irradiation were discussed.     

Up-conversion luminescence of Er~（3＋）-doped and Yb~（3＋）/Er~（3＋） co-doped 12CaO·7Al_2O_3 poly-crystals

The optical properties of Er3+-doped and Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped 12CaO·7Al2O3 (C12A7) poly-crystals, synthesized by high temperature solid state method, were investigated in detail. For Er3+-doped and Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped C12A7 poly-crystals, two main emission bands centered around 530/550 nm (green) and 660 nm (red) were observed under 980 nm diode laser excitation via an up-conversion process. The intensity of green up-conversion emission had a strong increase in Er3+ (1.0 mol.%, 1.5 mol.%, 3.0 mol.%), and the intensity ratio of red to green up-conversion emission had an increase in Yb3+ (1.0 mol.%, 2.0 mol.%, 10. 0 mol.%)/Er3+ (fixed at 1.0 mol.%). This detailed study of the up-conversion processes allowed us to identify the dominant up-conversion mechanisms in Er3+-doped and Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped C12A7 poly-crystals.