Luminescent properties of stoichiometric Er:LiTaO3 submicron particles synthesized by a modified solid-state combustion route

Abstract

Erbium-doped lithium tantalate submicron phosphor particles were produced by an efficient one-step solid-state combustion method. Well-crystallized products with uniform grain morphology were confirmed by X-ray diffraction and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Thermogravimetric and differential thermal analysis were used to further analyze the combustion reaction process. In addition, down- and up-conversion luminescence (DCL, UCL) as well as the relationship between luminescence intensity and erbium doping level were revealed. The luminescence spectra for the UCL processes under different excitation intensities showed a remarkable three-photon absorption phenomenon in Er-doped system. These results demonstrate that the modified solid-state combustion method possesses practical value for large-scale synthesis of rare earth-doped submicron phosphors and has great potential for application in solid-state laser and display fields.