Infrared to visible up conversion energy transfer confined at ordered micro-ring structures

Abstract Infrared to visible up-conversion energy transfer processes are demonstrated in two dimensional ordered arrays of fluorescent Er3+:Yb3+:CaNb2O6 micro-rings embedded in LiNbO3 optical substrate. Spatially resolved confocal spectroscopy reveals that Yb3+ → Er3+ energy transfer process only takes place at these confined ring spatial regions. Thus, the formation of rare earth based co-doped micro-rings can be used to generate green and red visible fluorescent ring emitters upon infrared diode laser excitation on wide spatial areas. The results allow to envisage diode pumped multi-color integrated photonic devices for high quality shadow-free phosphor displays.