Sensitive optical temperature sensor based on up-conversion luminescence spectra of Er3+ ions in PbO–Ga2O3–XO2 (X = Ge, Si) glasses.

Up-conversion luminescence spectra of Er 3+ ions in PbO–Ga 2 O 3 –GeO 2 and PbO–Ga 2 O 3 –SiO 2 glasses have been examined as a function of temperature in the 298–650 K range. The relative emission intensities of green bands corresponding to 2 H 11/2 → 4 I 15/2 and 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 transitions of Er 3+ were determined with temperature. Based on up-conversion luminescence spectra of Er 3+ , the fluorescence intensity ratio and temperature sensitivity for glasses based on PbO–Ga 2 O 3 –XO 2 (X = Ge, Si) were calculated. The maximum sensitivity is equal to 20.4 × 10 − 4 K − 1 at T = 620 K (X = Ge) and 26.4 × 10 − 4 K − 1 at T = 590 K (X = Si) suggesting potential application in optical sensor thermometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]