Blue cooperative upconversion in Yb3+-doped multicomponent sol-gel-processed silica glass for three-dimensional display

We propose using blue cooperative upconversion of ytterbium (Yb3+) ions produced by a one-color one-beam pumping scheme for a three-dimensional fluorescence display. The results are presented using a diode laser as a pump source emitting at 973 nm, and the sample used was a multicomponent sol-gel-processed silica glass (1 mol. % of Yb3+). The maximum absolute blue power emitted was similar to 1 mu W for an excitation power of similar to 900 mW. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)01515-1].