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.

Microstructure investigation and multicolor upconversion in Yb3+/Ln3+(Ln=Er/Tm/Ho) ions doped α-Sialon

Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺(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 of α-Sialon with a trace amount of β-Sialon phase. The frequency upconversion and downconversion properties of Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺(Ln = Er/Tm/Ho)-α-Sialon ceramics were investigated under 980 nm low-power excitation. The different concentrations of Yb³⁺/Ln³⁺(Ln = Er/Tm/Ho) produced multicolor emissions characteristics of each Ln³⁺ ion as a result of the energy transfer from Yb³⁺ to Er³⁺, Tm³⁺ and Ho³⁺ ions. The EDS spectra measurements and mappings showed that the Ln³⁺ ions were well incorporated in the α-Sialon matrix. Temporal evolution of the emission decay behavior has been investigated to understand the energy transfer mechanism.