Surface-plasmon-enhanced frequency upconversion in Pr3+ doped tellurium-oxide glasses containing silver nanoparticles

A frequency upconversion process in Pr3+ doped TeO2-ZnO glasses containing silver nanoparticles is studied under excitation with a nanosecond laser operating at 590 nm, in resonance with the H-3(4)-->D-1(2) transition. The excited Pr3+ ions exchange energy in the presence of the nanoparticles, originating efficient conversion from orange to blue. The enhancement in the intensity of the luminescence at similar to 482 nm, corresponding to the P-3(0)-->H-3(4) transition, is due to the influence of the large local field on the Pr3+ ions, which are located near the metallic nanoparticles. (C) 2008 American Institute of Physics.