Blue cooperative up-conversion luminescence of Yb:Y2O3 transparent ceramics

Transparent ceramic is considered to be a fascinating material with high photonic quality for a diverse range of applications. Here, we fabricated series of highly transparent Yb:Y2O3 (Yb:1.0, 3.0, 5.0, 7.0 and 9.0 at.%) ceramics via a vacuum solid-state reactive sintering. The room temperature up-conversion spectra for blue emissions are observed under the laser excitation of 980 nm. It is shown that the content of Yb3+ plays an important role in emission efficiency. Especially, the sample containing 7.0 at.% Yb3+ achieves the strongest cooperative luminescence. Analysis reveals that Yb3+-Yb3+ cluster cooperating in Y2O3 transparent ceramics takes place via phonon-assist energy transfer mechanism. Furthermore, the blue emission spectroscopy and decay lifetime of 7.0 at.% Yb:Y2O3 are also discussed.