Energy transfer processes in the ytterbium doped NdPO4 stoichiometric crystal

We report on crystal growth and fluorescence characterization of Yb3+ doped NdPO4 single crystals. From the analysis of fluorescence decay curves, the temperature dependence of Nd3+ → Yb3+ and Nd3+ ← Yb3+ energy transfer processes has been obtained. We have found that the dominant process is strongly temperature dependent, this leading to a temperature induced luminescence switching from Yb3+ to Nd3+ ions.