Microstructure investigation and multicolor upconversion in Yb~(3+)/Ln~(3+)(Ln=Er/Tm/Ho) ions doped α-Sialon

Yb~(3+)/Ln~(3+)(Ln=Er/Tm/Ho)-α-sialon ceramics were fabricated by hot press sintering technique.Their microstructure and luminescent properties were studied by XRD,EDS,HRTEM and photoluminescence measurements.The results showed that the sintered ceramics consisted ofα-Sialon with a trace amount ofβ-Sialon phase.The frequency upconversion and downconversion properties of Yb~(3+)/Ln~(3+)(Ln=Er/Tm/Ho)-α-Sialon ceramics were investigated under 980 nm low-power excitation.The different concentrations of Yb~(3+)/Ln~(3+)(Ln=Er/Tm/Ho)produced multicolor emissions characteristics of each Ln~(3+)ion as a result of the energy transfer from Yb~(3+)to Er~(3+),Tm~(3+)and Ho~(3+)ions.The EDS spectra measurements and mappings showed that the Ln~(3+)ions were well incorporated in theα-Sialon matrix.Temporal evolution of the emission decay behavior has been investigated to understand the energy transfer mechanism.