Effect of Er and Dy on IR-visible up-conversion luminescence properties of (Er0.01Dy0.01La0.01Zr0.02Y0.95)2O3 transparent ceramic

Abstract

Abstract In this study, we present first ever fabrication of Er/Dy co-doped Y 2 O 3 transparent ceramic and demonstration of energy transfer upconversion mechanism between Dy 3+ and Er 3+ . The spherical nanoparticles of Er/Dy co-doped Y 2 O 3 were synthesized by coprecipitation technique and transparent ceramics were fabricated by vacuum sintering of nanoparticles at 1750 °C for 5 h. A transmittance of ~ 80% (in ~ 600–2000 nm range) without Fresnel loss correction was achieved by substituting sintering aids like Zirconium and Lanthanum during preparation of nano particles without affecting the cubic phase of Er/Dy co-doped Y 2 O 3 . The upconversion luminescence spectra in visible region have been studied. The measured excitation spectrum gave evidence of the energy transfer from Dy 3+ to Er 3+ energy levels. The Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters, spontaneous emission rate, branching ratios and radiative emission lifetimes corresponding to transition wavelengths of Er 3+ were determined. The observed strong emission band at 564 nm (Er 3+ : 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 ) under 1077 nm (Dy 3+ : 6 H 15/2 → 6 F 9/2 ) excitation prove its potential as a promising gain medium for compact solid-state upconversion laser.