Energy transfer processes in the ytterbium doped NdPO4 stoichiometric crystal

Abstract We report on crystal growth and fluorescence characterization of Yb 3+ doped NdPO 4 single crystals. From the analysis of fluorescence decay curves, the temperature dependence of Nd 3+ → Yb 3+ and Nd 3+ ← Yb 3+ energy transfer processes has been obtained. We have found that the dominant process is strongly temperature dependent, this leading to a temperature induced luminescence switching from Yb 3+ to Nd 3+ ions.