Short-wavelength upconversion luminescence of Yb 3+/Tm 3+ co-doped glass ceramic containing SrF 2 nanocrystals

Abstract

The preparation process and upconversion luminescence properties of the Yb 3+ and Tm 3+ co-doped glass ceramic containing SrF 2 nanocrystals were investigated. In the glass ceramic, the SrF 2 nanocrystals were embedded uniformly in the glass matrix. The Yb 3+ and Tm 3+ ions could be enriched into the precipitated SrF 2 nanocrystalline phase, which provide much lower phonon energy than the glass matrix. The glass ceramic exhibited much stronger upconversion luminescence from ultraviolet to visible than the precursor glass. The upconversion luminescence mechanisms were mainly attributed to Yb 3+–Yb 3+ cooperative upconversion, Yb 3+–Tm 3+ energy transfer and Tm 3+–Tm 3+ cross relaxation.