Intense green and red upconversion emission of Er3+,Yb3+ co-doped CaZrO3 obtained by a solution combustion reaction

CaZrO3 phosphors co-doped with Er3+ and Yb3+ ions have been prepared by the urea combustion route. The formation of the orthorhombic phase of CaZrO3 was confirmed by powder x-ray diffraction. The absorption in the 280-1800nm region and excitation spectrum corresponding to the emission at 545 nm for CaZrO3:Er3+/CaZrO3:Er3+,Yb3+ phosphors have been recorded. Upon excitation at 978 nm, the material displays strong energy transfer upconversion emission in the green and red spectral regions. The upconversion emission of the CaZrO3: Er3+,Yb3+ co-doped material shows an increased red-to-green ratio, indicating cross relaxation between Er3+ ions. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4751450]