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Effect of TiO2 and Al2O3 on energy transfer and upconversion in Ho–Yb co-doped sol–gel silica glass

  • Original Paper: Sol-gel and hybrid materials for optical, photonic and optoelectronic applications
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Abstract

Holmium (Ho3+) and Ytterbium (Yb3+) co-doped in sol–gel silica glasses are prepared and the effect of incorporating TiO2 and Al2O3 are also studied. Photoluminescence studies using 450 nm excitation show that both TiO2 and Al2O3 improves luminescence but through different mechanisms. The observations are in support of the increased energy transfer between Ho3+ and Yb3+ in the presence of TiO2. Upconversion is also observed with 980 nm excitation showing emission in the green and red regions. Upconversion intensity is also enhanced by TiO2 and Al2O3 but comparison of the intensity ratio of the green and red emissions shows significant back transfer in presence of TiO2.The power dependence study reveals the 5F5 → 5I8 transition of Ho3+ involves a two-step process.

Highlights

  • Both TiO2 and Al2O3 enhance the normal photoluminescence as well as upconversion.

  • Mechanism of luminescence enhancement of Al2O3 and TiO2 are found to be quite different.

  • Incorporation of Al2O3 reduces cross-relaxation between Ho3+ ions.

  • Incorporation of TiO2 increase energy transfer between Ho3+ and Yb3+ ions.

  • Back transfer form Ho3+ to Yb3+ limits the intensity of upconversion.

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Acknowledgements

The authors are thankful to Department of Science and Technology New Delhi (India) for financial support (No. SR/S2/LOP-0039/2010). ALF would also like to thank University Grants Commission, New Delhi (India) for financial support through research fellowship (F1-17.1/2015-16/NFST-2015-17-ST-MIZ-3869).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Physics Section, MMV, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India

    A. L. Fanai

  2. Laser and Photonic Laboratory, Department of Physics, Mizoram University, Aizawl, India

    S. Rai

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  1. A. L. Fanai
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  2. S. Rai
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Correspondence to S. Rai.

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Fanai, A.L., Rai, S. Effect of TiO2 and Al2O3 on energy transfer and upconversion in Ho–Yb co-doped sol–gel silica glass. J Sol-Gel Sci Technol 97, 452–457 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05424-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10971-020-05424-7

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