Upconversion properties of Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped TeO2-Nb2O5-Li2O glasses

The Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped TeO2-Nb2O5-Li2O glass is prepared by conventional melting method, and its upconversion spectra are measured. The intense green upconversion luminescence upon excitation with a 976 nm laser diode is observed with the naked eyes. The dependence of luminescence intensity on the ratio of Yb^3＋/Er^3＋ is discussed in detail, and the relationship between the ratio of green luminescence intensity to red luminescence intensity and the ratio of Yb^3＋/Er^3＋ is also studied, The luminescence intensity increases with the ratio of Yb^3＋/Er^3＋ increasing. The ratio of Yb^3＋/Er^3＋ plays a more important role than the concentration of Er^3＋ in determining the upconversion luminescence intensity. The ratio of green luminescence intensity to red luminescence intensity reaches a maximum when ratio of Yb^3＋/Er^3＋ is 3. Thus the glass could be one of the potential candidates for LD pumping solid-state lasers.     

Upconversion luminescence of Tm^3＋/Yb^3＋ codoped oxyfluoride glasses

Novel oxyfluoride glasses are developed with the composition of 30SiO2-15Al2O3-28PbF2-22CdF2-0.1TmF3 - xYbF3 - （4.9 - x） AlF3（x=0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0） in tool fraction, Furthermore, the upconversion luminescence characteristics under a 970nm excitation are investigated. Intense blue, red and near infrared luminescences peaked at 453nm, 476nm, 647nm and 789nm, which correspond to the transitions of Tm^3＋： ^1D2 →^3F4, ^1G4 →^3H6, ^1G4 →^3F4, and ^3H4 →^3H6, respectively, are observed. Due to the sensitization of Yb^3＋ ions, all the upconversion luminescence intensities are enhanced considerably with Yb^3＋ concentration increasing. The upconversion mechanisms are discussed based on the energy matching rule and quadratic dependence on excitation power. The results indicate that the dominant mechanism is the excited state absorption for those upconversion emissions.     

Blue Upconversion Luminescence in Tm^3＋／Yb^3＋-Codoped Lead Chloride Tellurite Glass

The upconversion properties of Tm^3 /Yb3 -codoped lead chloride tellurite glass under 980hm excitation were investigated. The intense blue (476nm) emission and weak red (649 nm) emission corresponding to the ^1G4→4 ^3H6 and ^1G4→^3H4 transitions of Tm^3 ions, respectively, were simultaneously observed at room temperature. The dependence of upconversion intensities on excitation power and the possible upconversion mechanisms are evaluated. The intense blue upconversion luminescence of Tm^3 /Yb^3 -codoped lead chloride tellurite glass can be used as potential host material for the development of blue upconversion optical devices.     

Upconversion Luminescence Dynamics in Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ Codoped Nanocrystalline Yttria

The upconversion luminescence and dynamics in Er^3＋ /Yb^3＋ codoped nanocrystalline yttria （7-65 nm） are studied under 980-nm pulsed laser excitation, It is found that the red emission of ^4F9/2-^4I15/2 and the green emission of ^2H11/2/^4S3/2 in nanoparticles with lower concentration of Yb^3＋ result from a two-photon excitation, In nanocrystals with higher Yb^3＋ concentration, the red emissions from a two-photon excitation, while the green emissions from a three-photon excitation, The luminescence dynamics indicates that as the particle size decreases, both the rise and the decay time constants become shorter, As the size decreases to several nanometres, the rise process nearly disappears, suggesting that the upconversion luminescence originates mainly from self-excitation of Er^3＋, instead of the energy transfer of Yb^3＋→ Er^3＋.     

Laser-diode excited intense upconversion luminescence of Er^3＋ in bismuth-lead-germanate glasses

We have investigated infrared-to-visible upconversion luminescence of Er^3＋ in bismuth-lead-germanate glasses. The UV cutoff wavelength is shortened while its lifetime is increased almost linearly, with PbF2 substituting for PbO in the bismuth-lead germanate glasses. Three emissions centred at around 529, 545 and 657 nm are clearly observed, which are identified as originating from the ^2H11/2→^4 I15/2,^4S3/2→^4 I15/2 and ^4 F9/2 →^4 I15/2 transitions, respectively. It is noted that all the upconversion emission intensities increase with PbF2 concentration increasing. The ratio between the intensities of red and green emissions increases with the increasing of PbF2 content. Energy transfer processes and nonradiative phonon-assisted decays account for the populations of the ^2 H11/2,^4 S3/2 and ^4F 9/2 levels. The quadratic dependence of fluorescence on excitation laser power confirms a two-photon process to contribute to the upconversion emissions.     

Frequency Upconversion Fluorescence Emission of Er^3＋-Doped Oxychloride Germanate Glass

Frequency upconversion fluorescence property of Er^3 -doped oxychloride germanate glass is investigated. Intense green and red emissions centred at 525, 546, and 657nm, corresponding to the transitions ^2H11/2→4I15/2,^4S3/2→^4I15/2, and ^4F9/2→^4I15/2, respectively, were simultaneously observed at room temperature. The quadratic dependence of the 525, 546, and 657nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs under 975 nm laser diode (LD) excitation. The Raman spectrum investigation indicates that oxychloride germanate glass has the maximum phonon energy at-805cm^-1. The thermal stability of this oxychloride germanate glass is evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry, and thermal stability factor AT(△T = Tx -Tg) is 187℃. Intense upconversion luminescence and good thermal stability indicate that Er^3 -doped oxychloride germanate glass is a promising upconversion laser material.     

UV and visible upconversion luminescence in Er^3＋：YAG under red laser excitation

This paper reports that the ultraviolet and visible upconversion luminescence from the ^4S3/2, ^2G9/2 and ^2P3/2 levels have been observed in Er^3＋：YAG following 647.2 nm excitation of the ^4F9/2 multiple. Upconversion luminescence intensity dependence on pump power was recorded. The measured decay profiles were theoretically fitted by kinetics theory and the basically good agreements were achieved. The results indicate that some energy transfer processes proposed to explain the observed upconversion phenomena are reasonable.     

Influences of Mg^2＋ ion on dopant occupancy and upconversion luminescence of Ho^3＋ ion in LiNbO3 crystal

The effects of a Mg^2＋ ion on the dopant occupancy and upconversion luminescence of a Ho^3＋ ion in LiNbO3 crystal are reported. The birefringence gradient of the crystal is measured to investigate the optical homogeneity. The X-ray powder diffraction spectrum and the upconversion luminescence are used to investigate defect structure and spectroscopic properties of Mg,Ho：LiNbO3. Under 808-nm excitation, blue, red, and very intense yellow-green bands are observed. Based on the energy levels of Ho^3＋ in LiNbO3, and the pump intensity dependence of the observed emission, an excitation scheme is presented. The upconversion emission spectra reveal an enhancement of upconversion intensity when the Mg^2＋ ions are introduced into Ho：LiNbO3. The main upconversion mechanism is discussed in this work.     

High Efficiency Infrared-to-Visible Upconversion Emission in Er^3＋,Yb^3＋, and Ho^3＋ Codoped Tellurite Glasses

A novel method of codoping the Er^3＋, Yb^3＋, and Ho^3＋ ions in tellurite glasses is demonstrated to obtain a high efficiency of infrared-to-visible upconversion. Three intense emission bands observed in Er^3＋, Yb^3＋, and Ho^3＋ codoped tellurite glasses centred at 525, 547, and 657nm correspond to Er^3＋： ^2H11/2 -4 ^4I15/2, Er^3＋： ^4S3/2 →^4I15/2＋Ho^3＋： ^5S2（^5F4） → ^5Is, and Er^3＋： ^4Sa/2 → ^4I15/2＋Ho^3＋： ^5F5 → ^5Is transitions, respectively. No visible upconversion quenching phenomenon is observed when three rare-earth ions are codoped together in tellurite glasses. In contrast, the upconversion intensity of red and green emissions in Er^3＋, Yb^3＋, and Ho^3＋ codoped glasses is enhanced largely when compared with Er^3＋ /Yb^3＋-codoped glasses. The dependence of upconversion intensities on excitation power and the possible upconversion mechanisms are evaluated. The three emissions are based on two-photon absorption processes.     

Visible Upconversion Emission in Er3＋—Doped GeO2—PbO—PbF2 Glass

The upconversion fluorescence emission of Er3 -doped 60GeO2-2OPbO-2OPbF2 glass was experimentally investigated under the pump of 976-nm laser diode. The results reveal the existence of intense emission bands centred around 524, 545, and 657nm at room temperature. The green emission at 524 and 545nm is due to the 4S3/2 2 Hll/2→ 4I15/2 transition and the red emission of 657nm originates from the 4F9/2-→4I15/2 transition of Er3 . The quadratic dependence of the green and red emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photonabsorption process occurs under the 976-nm excitation. The excited- state absorption from 4I ll/2 and the cross relaxation between two Er3 ions in the 4I ll/2 state contribute to the green emission. The red emission at 657nm is attributed to the excited-state absorption and cross relaxation processes in the 4I13/2 level as well as the 4S3/2 level nonradiative transition of Er3 .     

Structural and Luminescence Properties of Transparent Nanocrystalline ZrO2：Er^3＋ Films

The structural and luminescence properties of nanocrystalline ZrO2 ：Er^3＋ films are reported. Transparent nano-ZrO2 crystalline films doped with Er^3＋ have been prepared using a wet chemistry process. An intense roomtemperature emission at 1527nm with a full width at half-maximum of 46 nm has been observed, which is assigned to the ^4Ⅰ13/2 → ^4Ⅰ15/2 intra-4f^n electric transition of Er^3＋. Correlations between the luminescence properties and structures of the nanocrystalline ZrO2 ：Er^3＋ films have been investigated. Infrared-to-visible upconversion occurs simultaneously upon excitation of a commercially available 980-nm laser diode and the involved mechanisms have also been explained. The results indicate that the nanocrystalline ZrO2：Er^3＋ films might be suggested as promising materials for achieving broadband Er^3＋-doped waveguide amplifiers and upconversion waveguide lasers.     

Optical transitions and upconversion properties of Er^3＋-doped chloride tellurite glasses

Er^{3+}-doped lead chloride tellurite glasses were prepared using the conventional melting and quenching method. The absorption spectra were measured and the Judd－Ofelt analysis was performed. The spectroscopic parameters such as the intensity parameters, transition probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and branching ratios were obtained. Intense infrared emission and visible upconversion luminescence under 976 nm excitation were observed. For the 1.55μm emission, the full width at half maximum and the emission cross sections are more than 50 nm and 8×10^{- 20}cm^2, respectively. Three efficient visible luminescences centred at 525, 547, and 658nm are assigned to the transitions from the excited states {}^{2}H_{11/2}, {}^{4}S_{3/2}, and {}^{4}F_{9/2} to the ground state {}^{4}I_{15/2}, respectively. The upconversion mechanisms and the power-dependent intensities are also discussed and evaluated.     

Structural and Upconversion Fluorescence Properties of Er^3＋／Yb^3＋-Codoped Lead-Free Germanium-Bismuth Glass

We study the structural and infrared-to-visible upconversion fluorescence properties of Er^3 /yb^3 -codoped leadfree germanium-bismuth glass. The structure of lead-free germanium-bismuth-lanthanum glass is investigated by peak-deconvolution of F~aman spectroscopy. Intense green and red emissions centred at 525, 546, and 657nm,corresponding to the transitions ^2H11/2 → 4I15/2, ^4S3/2 → 4I15/2, and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2, respectively, are observed at room temperature. The quadratic dependence of the 525, 546, and 657nm emissions on excitation power indicates that a two-photon absorption process occurs under 975nm excitation.     

Strong upconversion luminescence in Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+)-doped halide modified tellurite glass

Upconversion luminescence of Er3+/Yb3+-doped halide tellurite glass is investigated experimentally upon 976-nm excitation. Three intense emissions centered at 525, 545 and 655 nm owing to the transitions 2H11/2→4I15/2,4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4F9/2→4I15/2, respectively, are observed when pumping power is as low as 20 mW. The upconversion mechanisms and power dependent intensities are discussed. The high-populated 4I11/2 level is supposed to serve as the intermediate state responsible for the upconversion processes.     

Frequency Upconversion Emission of Er^3＋-Doped Strontium-Lead-Bismuth Glasses

Er^3 -doped strontium-lead-bismuth glasses for developing potential upconversion lasers have been fabricated and characterized. Under 975 nm excitation, intense green and red emissions centred at 525, 546, and 657nm,corresponding to the transitions ^2H11/2 → ^4I15/2, ^4S3/2 → ^4I15/2, and ^4F9/2 → ^4I15/2, respectively, were observed at room temperature. The upconversion mechanisms are discussed based on the energy matching and quadratic dependence on excitation power, and the dominant mechanisms are excited state absorption and energy transfer upconversion for 525 and 546nm emissions, and energy transfer upconversion for 657nm emission.     

Optical transitions in Er^3＋ doped lead germanate glasses

Er^{3+}- and Er^{3+}/Yb^{3+}-doped lead germanate glasses that are suitable for use in fibre lasers and optical amplifiers as well as optical waveguide devices have been fabricated and characterized. The absorption spectra from near-infrared to visible were obtained and the Judd－Ofelt parameters were determined from the absorption band. Intense and broad 1.53μm infrared fluorescence and visible upconversion luminescence were observed under 976 nm diode laser excitation. For 1.53μm emission band, the full widths at half-maximum are 36, 37, 51 nm for GPE, GPYE and GPFE samples, respectively. For frequency upconversion emission, the intense bands centred at around 524, 545, 657nm are due to the {}^4S_{3/2}+{}^2H_{11/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} and {}^4F_{9/2}→{}^4I_{15/2} transitions of Er^{3+} ions. The quadratic dependence of the green and red emissions on excitation power indicates that the two-photon absorption process occurs under the 976nm excitation.     

Research on upconversion codoped oxyfluoride luminescence in new Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ borosilicate glass ceramics

The upconversion luminescence of Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ ions is researched in a novel transparent oxyfluoride borosil- icate glass and glass ceramics under 980-nm excitation. Fluoride nanocrystals Ba2YF7 are successfully precipitated in glass matrix, which is affirmed by the X-ray diffraction results. Compared with the parent glasses, significant enhancement of upconversion luminescence is observed in the Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ codoped transparent glass-ceramics, which may be due to the variation of coordination environment around Er^3＋ and Yb^3＋ ions after crystallization. The possible upconversion mechanism is also discussed.     

Determination of energy constants for Yb3＋/Er3＋ transfer and upconversion codoped phosphate glass

The energy transfer and cooperation upconversion processes are investigated in Yb3＋/Er3＋ codoped phos- phate glass. Based on the measured curves of output power versus incident power, the laser and spectroscopic parameters of the glass are fitted and analyzed. We focus on the resonant energy transfer constant k from Yb3＋ to Er3＋ as well as the cooperation upconversion coefficient Cup from 4113/2 of Era＋. The fitted k and Cup can give almost the same results for different thicknesses of glass disk with the same dop- ing concentrations. The determination of these parameters is helpful for the development of Yb3＋/Er3＋ codoped laser glass.     

Ultraviolet and visible upconversion dynamics in Er^3＋：YAlO3 under ^2H11/2 excitation

The luminescence of Er^3＋：YAlO3 in ultraviolet visible and infrared ranges under the 518 nm excitation of the multiples ^2H11/2 have been investigated. Ultraviolet （275 nm and 318 nm）, violet （405 nm and 413 nm） and blue （474 nm） upconversion and infrared downconversion luminescence has been observed. By means of measuring the fluorescence decay curves and using the theory of rate equations, the luminescence kinetics was studied in detail and the processes of energy transfer upconversion （ETU） and excitation state absorption （ESA） were proposed to explain the upconversion phenomena.     

Host dependent thermal stability and frequency upconversion of Er^3＋-doped heavy metal oxyfluoride germanate glasses

The upconversion properties of Er^3＋-doped heavy metal oxyfluoride germanate glasses under 975 nm excitation have been investigated. The intense green （551 and 529 nm） and relatively weak red （657 nm） emissions corresponding to the transitions ^4S3/2→^4I15/2, ^2H11/2→^4 I15/2 and ^4F9/2 →^4I15/2, respectively, were simultaneously observed at room temperature. The content of PbF2 has an important influence on the upconversion luminescence emission. With increasing content of PbF2, the intensities of green （529 nm） and red （657 nm） emissions increase slightly, while the green emission （551 nm） increases markedly. These results suggest that PbF2 has an influence on the green （551 nm） emission more than on the green （529 nm） and red （657 nm） emissions.