Temperature dependent near-infrared emission and energy transfer of NaY(MoO4)2:Re (Re = Er3+/Nd3+, Tm3+) crystals

Abstract To investigate the energy transfer between Er3+ and Nd3+, Tm3+ ions, NaY(MoO4)2:Re (Re = Er3+/Nd3+, Tm3+) crystals were grown by the Vertical Bridgman method using spontaneous crystallization. The temperature-dependent luminescence properties of the crystals between 298 and 473 K under 980 nm excitation were investigated. The emission intensities decreased with the increasing temperature due to the thermal quenching effect. Compared to Er3+ doped NaY(MoO4)2, the emission intensity at 1534 nm reduced significantly. The crystals gave intense and characteristic emission of Tm3+ and Nd3+ in near-infrared emission region due to sensitization by Er3+ ions. The fluorescence lifetimes (4I13/2 → 4I15/2) of Er3+ single-doped crystals decreased with the addition of Tm3+ and Nd3+ ions. Efficient energy transfer from Er3+ to Tm3+ and Nd3+ ions were observed and the cross relaxation energy transfer efficiency between Er3+ and Nd3+,Tm3+ ions were 77.4% and 51.1%, respectively.