Spectroscopic studies and downconversion luminescence in OH−-free Pr3+–Yb3+ co-doped low-silica calcium aluminosilicate glasses

Luis J. Borrero-González, Luiz A. Oliveira Nunes, Jaqueline L. Carmo, Francine B. G. Astrath e Mauro L. Baesso

Journal of Luminescence – Volume: 145; Pages: 615–619; DOI: 10.1016/j.jlumin.2013.08.036

We report on spectroscopic studies and downconversion luminescence in OH−-free Pr3+–Yb3+ co-doped low-silica calcium aluminosilicate glasses (LSCAS). The dependencies of the visible to near-infrared emissions, photoacoustic signals, luminescence decay times and energy transfer efficiencies from Pr3+→Yb3+ on the doped Yb2O3 concentration were investigated. The results confirmed the occurrence of downconversion processes in the examined samples, followed by a back-energy transfer mechanism from the Yb3+:2F5/2 level to the Pr3+:1G4 level, from where the multiphonon relaxations through the 1G4,3F4→3H4 transitions occurred. The photoacoustic data provided evidence of the energy transfer that resulted in heat generation in the sample, confirming the observations provided by the luminescence data. The energy transfer mechanisms that are involved in the Pr3+:Yb3+ co-doped LSCAS glasses are discussed.

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