Studies of upconversion emission of Yb3+, Er3+:Lu2O3 nanoceramics

Abstract The translucent Yb 3+ and Er 3+ doped Lu 2 O 3 ceramics composed of nanocrystalline grains were sintered using a low temperature and high pressure method. The upconversion emission associated with the 2 H 11/2 → 4 I 15/2 , 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 (green), 4 F 9/2 → 4 I 15/2 (red) and 4 I 9/2 → 4 I 15/2 (IR) transitions was observed upon intense infrared laser excitation. The dependence of the upconversion intensity on incident laser diode power in Yb 3+ , Er 3+ :Lu 2 O 3 nanoceramics was investigated. In particular it was found that the green/red intensity ratio of upconversion transitions increased with the power of the incident laser light. This effect was due to heating of the nanoceramics with increasing excitation power and may be utilized for high temperature thermometry.