Influence of Ce3+ on the luminescence properties of Er3+/Yb3+:YVO4 crystals

Abstract YVO 4 single crystals doped with Ce 3+ , Er 3+ and Yb 3+ ions were grown by the Czochralsski technology. The luminescence properties of Er 3+ /Yb 3+ :YVO 4 single crystals with different concentration of Ce 3+ were studied, and the energy transfer mechanism between Er 3+ , Yb 3+ and Ce 3+ was discussed based on their energy level properties. The branching ratios of the 4 I 11/2 → 4 I 13/2 transition in different samples were calculated. The results indicate that codopants of Ce 3+ greatly enhance the population rate of the 4 I 13/2 level due to the fast resonant energy transfer between Er 3+ and Ce 3+ , i.e., 4 I 11/2 (Er 3+ ) + 2 F 7/2 (Ce 3+ ) → 4 I 13/2 (Er 3+ ) + 2 F 5/2 (Ce 3+ ).