Upconversion luminescence and color tunable properties in Yb-Tb codoped Ca0.15Zr0.85O1.85 inverse opal

The upconversion (UC) luminescence and color tunable properties of Tb3+ ions were investigated by steady spectral under 980 LD excitation in the Ca0.15Zr0.85O1.85:Yb,Tb inverse opals fabricated by the self-assembly technique in combination with a sol-gel method. The inhibition of UC emission was inspected if the Tb3+ UC emission band was in the regions of the photonic bandgap, while enhancement of the UC emission occurred if the UC emission band located at the edge of the bandgap. Color modification of the UC emission was successfully obtained by the suppression or enhancement effect of the photonic band gap on the UC emission.