Fluorescence and temperature sensing properties of Zr4+ and Er3+ codoped Y2O3 prepared by laser annealing

Y2O3 codoped with different Zr4+ (10% mol, 30% mol, and 49% mol) and constant Er3+ (2% mol) ions were successfully prepared via the laser annealing method. According to the XRD data, the lattice parameters decrease with the increase of Zr4+, and the grain size increases with Zr4+. The crystal space group switches from Ia-3 to Fm-3 m at a Zr4+ concentration of 49% mol. As the concentration of doped Zr4+ increases, the upconversion emission of Er3+ decreases. The nonequivalent substitution of Y3+ by Zr4+ creates lattice defects, which affect the fluorescence intensity of Er3+ ions in the material. The temperature sensing behavior of Y88%Zr10%Er2%O1.55 crystals based on the fluorescence intensity ratio between S-4(3/2)-> I-4(15/2) and I-4(9/2)-> I-4(15/2) transitions of Er3+ is studied. The results show that after codoping with Zr4+, the S-4(3/2)-> I-4(15/2) and I-4(9/2)-> I-4(15/2) transitions satisfy the Boltzmann distribution formula at temperatures above 333K. And the temperature sensing relative sensitivity can reach 2.96%K-1.

Automated summary

In this study, Y2O3 material doped with different concentrations of Zr4+ and a constant concentration of Er3+ was successfully prepared. The relationship between the crystal structure and the doping concentration was investigated, revealing that the lattice parameters decrease and the grain size increases with the increase of Zr4+. The doping of Zr4+ also reduces the upconversion emission of Er3+ and introduces lattice defects, which affect the fluorescence intensity of Er3+ ions. Furthermore, the temperature sensing behavior of Y88%Zr10%Er2%O1.55 crystals based on the fluorescence intensity ratio of Er3+ was studied, showing a high sensitivity to temperature.