Integrated broadband near-infrared luminescence in transparent glass ceramics containing γ-Ga2O3: Ni2+ and β-YF3: Er3+ nanocrystals

Ni2+/Er3+ dual-doped transparent glass ceramic containing gamma-Ga2O3 and beta-YF3 nanocrystals is prepared by melt quenching and subsequent heating. It is experimentally demonstrated that Ni2+ and Er3+ are partitioned into gamma-Ga2O3 and beta-YF3 nanocrystals, respectively, which greatly reduces the adverse energy transfer between them. Accordingly, an integrated broad near-infrared emission band in the wavelength region of 1020-1650 nm, consisting of Ni2+: T-3(2)(F) -> (3)A(2)(F) emission around 1220 nm and Er3+: 4I(13/2) -> I-4(15/2) emission around 1540 nm, is observed under 980 nm excitation. Compared to that in the Ni2+/Er3+ dual-doped glass ceramic containing gamma-Ga2O3 and LaF3 nanocrystals, the integrated near-infrared emission intensity in the present sample is increased by two times, ascribing to the higher Er3+ solubility in beta-YF3 crystallites. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.