Enhanced luminescence properties of Ho/Yb ions regulated by the nanocrystalline environment and phonon energy in silicate glasses

Abstract Rare-earth-doped optical functional glasses for the development of mid-infrared lasers are of considerable interest for a variety of applications. In the present study, enhanced emissions in the visible-infrared region of Ho3+ ions are obtained by the formation of a nanocrystalline environment, through reheating treatment in oxyfluoride silicate glasses. The forward and backward states of the glass structure are confirmed from XRD and TEM results. Two different energy transfer and luminescence mechanisms are observed owing to a low phonon energy environment, originating from the precipitation of the Sr2YF7 nanocrystalline phase in the original amorphous environment. The results obtained indicate that the nanostructured silicate glass containing Sr2YF7 nanocrystals is a promising candidate as an effective mid-infrared laser material. The present study provides a method for improving the efficiency of rare-earth luminescent materials.