27 μm emission in Er^3+ doped glass ceramics containing lutetium oxyfluoride nanocrystals

Abstract

Intense 2.7 μm emission of Er3+ was achieved in transparent glass ceramics containing orthorhombic Vernier phase lutetium oxyfluoride nanocrystals, which was prepared through conventional melt-quenching and a subsequent thermal treatment method. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis confirmed the precipitation of orthorhombic Vernier phase lutetium oxyfluoride nanocrystals in glass ceramics. The preferential incorporation of Er3+ ions into nanocrystals was evidenced by TEM element mapping, stark-split absorption band, and prolongation of luminescence lifetimes. Upon 980 nm laser excitation, enhanced 2.7 μm emission originating from Er3+:4I11/2 → 4I13∕2 transition was obtained in glass ceramics via increasing the heat treatment temperature, which resulted from the inhibited non-radiative relaxation from 4I11/2 level and favored energy transfer upconversion process between the localized Er3+ ions. Our results indicate that lutetium oxyfluoride nanocrystal embedded glass ceramic is a promising candidate for 2.7 μm laser.