Spectroscopic properties of Er3+ doped glass ceramics containing Sr2GdF7 nanocrystals.

The Er3+ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing Sr2GdF7 nanocrystals were prepared and their spectroscopic properties were discussed. The formation of Sr2GdF7 nanocrystals in the glass ceramics was confirmed by x-ray diffraction. The split peaks of the upconversion and near infrared emission bands of the Er3+ doped glass ceramics can be observed. The upconversion luminescence intensity of Er3+ in the glass ceramics increased significantly with the increasing heat treated temperature. The luminescence decay curves and time-resolved spectra indicated that the lifetime of the ´S3/2 state of Er3+ in the glass ceramic was longer than that in the glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]