Up-conversion emissions of Er^(3+)-Yb^(3+) codoped Al_2O_3 nanoparticles by the arc discharge synthesis method

The Er3+-Yb3+ codoped Al2O3 nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 50 nm have been synthesized by an arc discharge synthesis method. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 526, 547 and 677 nm, corresponding respectively to the 2H11/2→4I15/2, 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4 F9/2→4I15/2 transitions of Er3+, were detected by a 978-nm semiconductor laser diode excitation. The Annealing has evident effect on the up-conversion emissions of the samples: The red up-conversion emission is noticeable before annealing; however, the green up-conversion emission becomes predominant after annealing. The mixture of (Er,Yb)3Al5O12 and α-(Al,Er,Yb)2O3 phases is more favorable for green up-conversion emissions due to an enhancement of the ESA (I) of 4I11/2+a photon→4F7/2 and ET (III) of 2F5/2(Yb3+)+4I11/2(Er3+)→2F7/2(Yb3+)+4F7/2(Er3+) processes. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process is involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions. The results have proved that arc discharge synthesis is a new promising preparation technology for optical materials.