The simultaneous realization of high- and low-temperature thermometry in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Y2O3 nanoparticles

Abstract Under 980 nm excitation, strong upconversion emissions can be observed in Er 3+ /Yb 3+ -codoped Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles at both high and low temperatures. The optical temperature sensing properties based on upconversion emission of Er 3+ /Yb 3+ -codoped Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles were investigated. The results demonstrate that the Er 3+ /Yb 3+ -codoped Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles can be operated in a wide temperature range of 93–613 K with a maximum sensitivity approximately 0.0044 K −1 at 427 K, indicating that high- and low-temperature thermometry can be simultaneously realized in Er 3+ /Yb 3+ -codoped Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles. These characteristics make the Er 3+ /Yb 3+ -codoped Y 2 O 3 nanoparticles potential candidate for optical temperature sensor using a fluorescence intensity ratio technique.