Upconversion luminescence of Er³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Yb³⁺Co-doped Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ nanocrystals

Abstract

A series of Er³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Yb³⁺ doped Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ nanocrystals were prepared by a combustion method. The X-ray diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM) and upconversion (UC) emission spectra were used to characterize the samples. The results of XRD indicate that Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂: Er³⁺, Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanocrystals with cubic phase can be obtained. Under the excitation of a 980 nm laser, the different rare earth ions doped Gd₃Ga₅O₁₂ nanocrystals show upconversion luminescence involving the green emission attributed to the ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ ions, respectively, the red emissions assigned to the ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ ions and the ¹G₄→³F₄ as well as ³F_2,3→³H₆ transitions of Tm³⁺ ions, respectively, the blue emission attributed to ¹G₄→³H₆ transitions of Tm³⁺ ions, and the near-infrared assigned to the ³H₄→³H₆ transitions of Tm³⁺ ions. The CIE coordinates for the samples are calculated. The dependence of their upconversion luminescence properties on Yb³⁺ ion concentration is investigated.

Keywords

Gd₃Ga₅O¹²:Er³⁺ / Tm³⁺ / Yb³⁺ nanocrystals; combustion method; upconversion luminescence

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