Photoluminescence of Sm 3+, Dy 3+, and Tm 3+-doped transparent glass ceramics containing CaF 2 nanocrystals

Abstract

Photoluminescence properties of Sm 3+, Dy 3+, and Tm 3+-doped transparent oxyfluoride silicate glass ceramics containing CaF 2 nanocrystals were reported. Emission bands of 4G 5/2 → 6H 5/2 (562 nm), 4G 5/2 → 6H 7/2 (598 nm), 4G 5/2 → 6H 9/2 (645 nm) and 4G 5/2 → 6H 11/2 (706 nm) for the Sm 3+: glass and glass ceramic, with an excitation at 6H 5/2 → 4F 7/2 (402 nm) have been recorded. Of them, 4G 5/2 → 6H 7/2 (598 nm) has shown a bright orange emission. With regard to the Dy 3+: glass, a bright fluorescent yellow emission at 575 nm ( 4F 9/2 → 6H 13/2) and blue emission at 481 nm ( 4F 9/2 → 6H 15/2) have been observed, apart from 662 nm ( 4F 9/2 → 6H 11/2) emission transition with an excitation at 386 nm ( 6H 15/2 → 4I 13/2 + 4F 7/2) wavelength. Emission bands of 1G 4 → 3F 4 (650 nm) and 1G 4 → 3H 5 (795 nm) transitions for the Tm 3+: glass and glass ceramic, with an excitation at 3H 6 → 1G 4 (467 nm) have been observed. Of them, 1G 4 → 3F 4 (650 nm) has shown bright red emission. Decay lifetime measurements were also carried out for all the observed Sm 3+, Dy 3+, and Tm 3+-doped glass and glass ceramic emission bands.