Optical temperature sensor through infrared excited blue upconversion emission in Tm3+/Yb3+ codoped Y2O3

An analysis of the intense blue upconversion emission at 476 and 488 nm in Tm3+/Yb3+ codoped Y2O3 under excitation power density of 86.7 W/cm(2) available from a diode laser emitting at 976 nm, has been undertaken. Fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) variation of temperature-sensitive blue upconversion emission at 476 and 488 nm in this material was recorded in the temperature range from 303 to 753 K. The maximum sensitivity derived from the FIR technique of the blue upconversion emission is approximately 0.0035 K-1. The results imply that Tm3+/Yb3+ codoped Y2O3 is a potential candidate for the optical temperature sensor. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.