Bi3+ and Sm3+ co-doped La2MgGeO6: A novel color-temperature indicator based on different heat quenching behavior from different luminescent centers

Abstract

It is inconvenient to use the thermometer to judge and measure temperature under some special conditions. For example, when the observer can’t get close to the measured environment or the observer is unable to read the numbers. In remote conditions, it is very necessary to indicate the temperature by color. A novel color-temperature indicator, Sm3+ and Bi3+ co-doped La2MgGeO6, was designed in this work. Under ultraviolet light excitation, Sm3+ and Bi3+ simultaneously emit red-orange and blue-violet light, respectively. The luminescence color of the samples changes gradually with the temperature from blue-violet to red-orange. Luminescence color and their temperature exhibit a good one-to-one correspondence. The luminescence properties, energy transfer, different thermal quenching behavior, mechanism of indicating temperature, in this system, were investigated in detail. Our materials can be a novel color-temperature indicator which can be used in some special environment. Our investigation provides a new insight for the design of novel color-temperature indicator based on luminescent materials. Color-temperature indicator light based on this material will have the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation and low cost.