Up-conversion luminescence properties of Tb3+ doped glass ceramics containing Y2Ti2O7 crystalline phase

Abstract

In recent years, rare earth doped optical materials have been widely used in w-LEDs, optical displays and lasers. Glass ceramics containing titanate crystal phases are widely used in the matrix of luminescent materials because of their high thermal and chemical stability, excellent luminescence properties, and low phonon energy. However, Y₂Ti₂O₇ with a pyrochlore structure is considered a good up-conversion luminescent matrix owing to its low phonon energy (⪅712 cm^-1). By the melt crystallization, Tb³⁺ doped transparent glass ceramics (GCs) were prepared. Y₂Ti₂O₇ crystal phase in glass ceramics was decided by using x-ray diffraction. The light transmittance of the glass ceramics can reach 71% in the visible region. The emission intensity is the strongest when the doping concentration of Tb³⁺ is 0.4%. Compared with the precursor glass, glass ceramics have higher luminescence intensity. It can be concluded that Tb³⁺ doped transparent glass ceramics containing Y₂Ti₂O₇ crystal can be used in green light emission fields.