Visible upconversion in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped LaAlO3 phosphors

• By facile combustion synthesis, Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+ doped LaAlO3 phosphors are obtained.
• Phosphor was characterized using XRD, SEM-EDX, FTIR and Up-conversion spectroscopy.
• Upon excitation at 978 nm, intense up-conversion emission is observed.
• Prepared materials could be suitable for up-conversion lasers and green display device.

The Er3+ doped and Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped LaAlO3 phosphors have been synthesized by the combustion method and characterized their structural, morphological, elemental, vibrational and optical properties. The optical absorption and upconversion properties of the synthesized phosphors have been studied. Upon co-doping Yb3+ ions into Er3+:LaAlO3, the blue, green and red upconversion emissions of Er3+ ions have been enhanced about ~ 20, ~ 54 and ~ 22 times, under 978 nm laser excitation. The observed upconversion emissions could be due to excited state absorption in Er3+:LaAlO3, whereas energy transfer is dominant mechanism in Er3+/Yb3+:LaAlO3 phosphors. The tuning in the color emitted from the synthesized phosphors towards the green region has been found due to incorporation of the Yb3+ ions. With increase in the pump power, the color emitted from the co-doped phosphor is not tuned significantly, showing its applicability in making the green display devices.

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