SiO2-SnO2:Er3+ transparent glass-ceramics: fabrication and photonic assessment

This work focuses on the fabrication processes and photonic assessment of SiO 2 -SnO 2 :Er 3+ monoliths. To obtain the crack-free and densified system, the sol-gel derived synthesis protocols and heat-treatment processes were optimized. The absorption measurements were employed to assess the effect of the heat-treatment on the samples and specially to estimate the –OH content. The XRD patterns were used to investigate the crystallization as well as the structure of the monoliths. The emission spectra, performed at different excitation wavelengths, evidence the presence of Er 3+ in the SnO 2 nanocrystals and the energy transfer from SnO 2 to the rare earth ions. In addition, the efficient role of SnO 2 nanocrystals as Er 3+ sensitizers are also experimentally confirmed in this system.