Down- and up-conversion luminescence processes in olivine-type ceramic phosphors Li2AGeO4:Er3+ (A = Zn, Mg).

Luminescence properties of olivine-type germanate phosphors with general formula Li 2 AGeO 4 :0.5Er3+ (A = Zn, Mg) have been studied. Olivine-type materials prepared via conventional solid-state reaction method were examined for down- and up-conversion luminescence processes. In the down-conversion process after 381 nm excitation, two strong green emission bands due to 2H 11/2 /4S 3/2 → 4I 15/2 transitions of Er3+ were registered, with a change in the intensity ratio depending on the ceramic matrix. Weak red emission bands related to 4F 9/2 → 4I 15/2 transition were also recorded. In contrast, luminescence bands behaved completely differently for the up-conversion process after infrared excitation at λ exc = 980 nm. Red emission bands were much more significant than green emission bands. These effects are stronger for Li 2 MgGeO 4 :0.5Er3+ than Li 2 ZnGeO 4 :0.5Er3+. In the red and green spectral range, slope values for both matrices Li 2 AGeO 4 :0.5Er3+ (A = Zn, Mg) confirmed two-photon process. • Phosphors Li 2 AGeO 4 :Er3+ (A = Zn, Mg) with olivine structure were studied. • Down/up conversion luminescence processes of Er3+ ions were examined. • Intensities of green/red emission bands depend strongly on the excitation wavelengths. • Two-photon up-conversion process in Li 2 AGeO 4 :Er3+ (A = Zn, Mg) was confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]