Up-Conversion Luminescence Processes in NaLaF4 Doped with Tm3+ and Yb3+ and Dependence on Tm3+ Concentration and Temperature

Abstract

In this work, luminescence processes in polycrystalline NaLaF4:Tm3+ and NaLaF4:Tm3+,Yb3+ materials were studied. Luminescence spectra and decay kinetics measurements were performed for NaLaF4 doped with various Tm3+ concentrations (0.01, 0.1, 0.5, 1, and 2 mol%) under direct excitation to 3P0, 1D2, 1G4, and 3H4 states. It was found that some of the Tm3+ excited states are more affected by Tm3+ concentration than other states. Under infrared excitation of Yb3+, energy transfer to Tm3+ occurred and intensive ultraviolet and blue up-conversion luminescence was observed. Possible up-conversion mechanisms are discussed. Spectroscopic measurements show that long-duration excitation radiation reduces ultraviolet up-conversion luminescence intensity, and this intensity reduction is related to sample heating due to high excitation radiation density and a poor heat sink from samples. It was found that sample configuration for spectroscopic measurements is crucial to correctly describe measured up-conversion luminescence spectra.