Er3+/Yb3+ codoped Gd2O3 nano-phosphor for optical thermometry

Combustion synthesized Gd2O3: Er3+/Yb3+ nanocrystalline phosphor has been developed and used as a temperature sensor. Frequency upconverted emissions from two thermally coupled excited states H-2(11/2) and S-4(3/2) of Er3+ centered at 523 and 548 nm in the phosphor pumped by NIR source were recorded in the temperature range 300-900 K. The maximum sensitivity derived from the FIR technique of the green upconversion emission is approximately 0.0039 K-1. The results imply that Er3+/Yb3+ codoped Gd2O3 phosphor can play an important role in high temperature measurements with a better sensitivity. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.