Up- and down-conversion in Yb3+-Pr3+ co-doped fluoride glasses and glass ceramics

Pr3+-Yb3+ co-doped transparent ZrF4-based bulk and planar waveguide glass ceramics (GCs) have been fabricated using the physical vapor deposition. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy analysis have shown the presence of a single crystalline phase that belongs to the LaF3-ZrF4 system. Upon 980 nm excitation, blue, orange and red emissions have been obtained both in bulk and waveguides. Intense luminescence of Yb3+ ions has been observed after excitation at 476 nm and is ascribed by to energy transfer (ET) from Pr3+ to Yb3+. The ET efficiency was estimated to be 92% for 0.5 mol% Pr3+-10 mol% Yb3+ co-doping. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.