Energy transfer mechanisms of quantum cutting near infrared luminescence in Ho3+/Yb3+ co-doped Y2O3 transparent ceramics

Abstract Blue to near infrared quantum cutting luminescence has been achieved in the Ho 3 + /Yb 3 + co-doped Y 2 O 3 transparent ceramics upon the 449 nm excitation. Based on the steady and the dynamic emission spectra and the energy level diagrams of Ho 3 + and Yb 3 + , the energy transfer between Ho 3 + and Yb 3 + was proposed to be first via the Ho 3 + : 5 F 4 , 5 S 2 + Yb 3 + : 2 F 7/2 → Ho 3 + : 5 I 6 + Yb 3 + : 2 F 5/2 cross relaxation, then followed by the efficient energy transfer from Yb 3 + : 2 F 5/2 to Ho 3 + : 5 I 6 , and further the enhanced Ho 3 + : 5 I 6 → 5 I 8 transition emitting at 1206 nm.