Upconversion/downconversion luminescence of color-tunable Gd2O3:Er3+ phosphors under ultraviolet to near-infrared excitation

Abstract

Multicolored luminescence tuning in a single rare earth ion (Er3+) activated rare earth oxide phosphors were achieved among green to red colors. The emission bands in visible light region corresponding to the transitions between 4F7/2 → 4I15/2 (487 nm), 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 (525 nm), 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 (550 nm) and 4F9/2 → 4I15/2 (667 nm) were demonstrated by luminescence spectroscopy under excitations at 379 nm and 980 nm. The dependence of upconversion/downconversion luminescence intensity on the firing temperature and Er3+ concentration were investigated, which is useful to tailor the color chromaticity coordinates under varied excitation wavelengths by adjusting the experimental conditions.