A temperature dependent investigation of upconversion emission in Er3+:PLZT transparent ceramic

The upconversion emission of Er3+:PLZT transparent ceramic was investigated at different temperatures from 10 to 300 K. Emission bands around 540, 564 and 682 nm corresponding to transitions from 2H11/2, 4S3/2, and 4F9/2 to 4I15/2 were observed. As the measurement temperature was increased, the intensities of the 564 and 682 nm peaks decreased, while that of the 540 nm peak increased. Based on the rate equation theory, a model for the dynamics of upconversion emission in Er3+:PLZT ceramic was proposed. Impressively, the calculations agree well with the experimental data in the whole temperature range. Additionally, the temperature dependent upconversion emission behavior in Er3+:PLZT ceramic was discussed in terms of the Boltzmann thermal distribution and nonradiative relaxation.