Fabrication and optical characterizations of PrF3-doped SrF2 transparent ceramics

Abstract

A series of PrF 3 -doped SrF 2 ceramics were fabricated by the hot-pressed (HP) sintering method. The influence of PrF 3 concentrations on the microstructure and optical characterizations of transparent ceramics was investigated. PrF 3 doping was found to have a positive effect on increasing optical transmittance. The luminescence intensity and lifetime quenching of Pr:SrF 2 ceramics at high doping concentrations were attributed to the Pr 3+ -Pr 3+ interactions through the intense CR process. The luminescence color of Pr:SrF 2 ceramics was tuned from the blue region to the reddish region, and finally to the orange region with increasing PrF 3 concentrations. The effect of sintering temperature on the optical transmittance and microstructure of Pr:SrF 2 ceramics was also measured and discussed. The highest transmittance of the Pr:SrF 2 ceramic (doped with 5 wt% PrF 3 and sintered at 950 °C) at 350 nm and 1200 nm were 90.4% and 91.9%, respectively. • High transparency Pr:SrF 2 ceramics were fabricated by HP sintering. • The highest transmittance reaches 90.4% at 350 nm and 91.9% at 1200 nm. • Intense visible luminescence bands under 443 nm excitation were detected. • The luminescence color is tuned from blue to reddish, and to orange region.