Improved 2.0 μm luminescence by doping Ce3+ ions in Yb3+, Ho3+:YAG transparent ceramics

Abstract

A series of Yb3+, Ho3+, Ce3+:YAG ceramics have been sintered at 1780 °C by high temperature solid state reaction under oxygen atmosphere. The absorption spectra, fluorescence spectra and fluorescence decay curve were discussed. The Judd-Ofelt (J-O) theory was applied to obtain the values of Ω2 = 13.95 × 10−20 cm2, Ω4 = 3.94 × 10−20 cm2 and Ω6 = 0.87 × 10−20 cm2, respectively. After doping the Ce3+ ions, the σem of Yb3+, Ho3+, Ce3+:YAG ceramic at 2094 nm increased from 5.67 × 10−20 cm2 to 7.26 × 10−20 cm2. These results demonstrate that Yb3+, Ho3+, Ce3+:YAG ceramic could be promising for 2 μm region.