Optical thermometry properties of silicate glass ceramics with dual-phase for spatial isolation of Er3+ and Cr3+

Abstract The critically temperature-dependent optical properties based on rare earth ions and transition metal ions provide a feasible strategy for non-contact temperature detection. However, the requirement of higher detective sensitivity and accuracy as well as the consummation of temperature measurement technology is still an ongoing work for practical application. In this work, spatial isolation of Er3+ and Cr3+ ions selectively entering into the precipitated LaF3 and Ga2O3 nanocrystals after crystallization is achieved, which fundamentally improves the thermal sensitivity as well as broadens the detective temperature range for the reduced detrimental energy transfers between Er3+ and Cr3+. The maximum sensitivity reaches 0.71% K−1 at 333 K for Er3+ and 0.66% K−1 at 500 K for Cr3+, respectively. These results demonstrate the potential application of the silicate glass ceramics with dual-phase as non-contact temperature sensors.