Effect of codoping of Zn2+ ion on the upconversion of Er3+-Yb3+ codoped Y2O3 phosphor

The frequency upconversion emission from Er3+-Yb3+ codoped Y2O3 phosphor synthesized by low temperature, urea assisted combustion technique has been studied upon excitation at 980 nm diode laser. The effect of incorporation of Zn2+ ion on upconversion (UC) emission bands around 409 nm, 523 nm, 551 nm, 661 nm arises due to the transitions H-2(9/2) -> I-4(15/2), H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2) of Er3+ ions have been investigated. The basic mechanism involved in UC process and reason of intensity enhancement on Zn2+ codoping have been explained by energy level structure and decay time analyses. The present study indicates that the developed phosphors may be of significant interest for use in photonic applications.