Upconversion luminescence of Eu 3+ ion in aluminoborate/NaYF 4 vitreous composite matrix induced by 800 nm laser

Abstract

Abstract The upconversion luminescence (UCL) of Eu 3+ ion in calcium aluminoborate glass matrix with the composition of CaO–Al 2 O 3 –B 2 O 3 (CaAlB) under 800 nm laser excitation has been demonstrated and the structural, thermal and optical properties of Eu 3+ -doped glasses were investigated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetry-differential scanning calorimetry (TG-DSC) and photoluminescence (PL) analyses. The results revealed that these glasses possess good thermal, chemical and mechanical stabilities. For improving the UCL of Eu 3+ , β-NaYF 4 crystal was successfully melted into CaAlB matrix to form a homogeneous vitreous material (CaAlB/NaYF 4 ). The result indicated that the UC emission of Eu 3+ in CaAlB/NaYF 4 composite matrix observably increases due to reduced phonon energy of CaAlB matrix and high UC quantum efficiency of NaYF 4 matrix. Similarly, additive Bi 3+ ion can improve the UC emission of Eu 3+ ion via reducing the phonon energy of the host. The UC emission of Eu 3+ in CaAlB/NaYF 4 composite matrix can be induced by two-photon simultaneous absorption. The results imply that these investigated glasses may be potential candidates for UCL and fiber materials.