NIR to visible frequency upconversion in Er3+ and Yb3+ co-doped BaZrO3 phosphor

Abstract: Phosphor powders of Yb3+ co-doped BaZrO3:Er3+ have been prepared by the urea combustion route. The formation of single-phase BaZrO3:Er3+ and BaZrO3:Er3+,Yb3+ was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD). Green and red luminescence along with a weaker blue emission is observed upon excitation at ∼978nm with a diode laser. These emissions are caused by frequency upconversion in the Er3+-doped BaZrO3 (BZO) phosphor. Both the green and red upconversion emissions of the Er3+ are enhanced by about ∼3 and ∼43 times respectively when triply ionized ytterbium is incorporated as a co-dopant. The frequency upconversion processes responsible for the blue, green and red emissions are discussed on the basis of the experimental data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]