Optical thermometry based on up-conversion luminescence behavior of self-crystallized K3YF6:Er3+ glass ceramics

Self-crystallized fluoride K3YF6 glass ceramics ( GC) doped with lanthanide ions were successfully manufactured via traditional melt-quenching route with further heat-treatment. Different from common cases previously reported, nano-crystals have already formed after melt-quenching, which is beneficial to the realization of controllable glass crystallization to some degree for affording desirable nano-crystal size and activator partition. Optical spectroscopy analysis demonstrates the partition of the active centers into the K3YF6 crystalline lattice with low phonon energy. Hence, luminescence of GC doped with lanthanide ions is highly enhanced after further heat-treatment. Moreover, the temperature-dependent green upconversion emissions of Er3+ doped GC were investigated by the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of the thermally coupled emitting states (H-2(11/2) and S-4(3/2)). The sensitivity is 1.27% K-1 at 300 K and the obtained high energy difference (Delta E) is 793 cm(-1). Such Er3+ doped K3YF6 GC may present potential application in optical temperature sensors. (C)2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.