Large photoluminescence enhancement of Er^3+: GdVO_4 crystal in both green and middle infrared regions under moderate low magnetic fields

Strong green and middle infrared (MIR) photoluminescence (PL) has been observed in Er3+: GdVO4 crystal excited by a 488 nm argon laser. Nearly 25 times of magnitude increase of PL intensity has been obtained for both green and MIR emissions under moderate low magnetic field of 4 T. The temperature- and magnetic field- dependent PL demonstrated that both excitation and emission energy transitions have made contributions to the PL enhancement, and stronger PL enhancement usually happens at the transitions with energy levels possessing larger population of electrons. The results are important and encouraging since it not only reveals the originations of the magnetic induced PL enhancement, but also drag people closer to the utilization of magnetic induced PL modulations under moderate low magnetic field.