Emission properties of polymer composites doped with Er3+:Y2O3 nanopowders

Abstract In this work we report the recent results of our investigation on visible emission properties of the PMMA-based polymer nanocomposites doped with Er 3+ :Y 2 O 3 nanopowders. The set of active nanopowders, and polymer films, differing in active ions concentration, was characterized with respect of their luminescent properties in the green spectral range, available to a limited extent for semiconductor lasers. In particular – the concentration dependent emission spectra and fluorescence dynamics profiles were measured under direct (single photon) and up-converted excitation, enabling the comparison of luminescent properties of developed nanocomposite materials and original nanopowders, optimization of erbium dopant concentration as well as discussion of excitation mechanisms and analysis of the efficiency of depopulation processes.