Intense blue up-conversion luminescence in Tm 3+/Yb 3+ codoped oxyfluoride glass–ceramics containing β-PbF 2 nanocrystals

Abstract

Up-conversion luminescence properties of a Tm 3+/Yb 3+ codoped oxyfluoride glass–ceramics under 980 nm excitation are investigated. Intense blue emission centered at 476 nm, corresponding to 1G 4 → 3H 6 transitions of Tm 3+ was simultaneously observed in the transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics at room temperature. The intensity of the blue up-conversion luminescence in a 1 mol% YbF 3-containing glass–ceramic was found to be about 40 times stronger than that in the precursor oxyfluoride glass. The reason for the intense Tm 3+ up-conversion luminescence in the oxyfluoride glass–ceramics is discussed. The dependence of up-conversion intensities on excitation power and possible up-conversion mechanism are also evaluated.