Influence of Yb3+ content on microstructure and fluorescence of oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing LaF3 nano-crystals

The influence of Yb3+ content on structural evolution and fluorescence properties of oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing LaF3 nano-crystals were systematically investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) experiments indicated that Yb3+ ions acted as nucleating agent to facilitate LaF3 crystallization. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) results verified the incorporation of Yb3+ into LaF3 nano-crystal lattice. The absorption, emission spectra and fluorescence decays were measured. The infrared emission intensity of 4F5/2 → 4F7/2 transition under 980 nm excitation enhanced, while the measured lifetime reduced due to the increase of non-radiative transition probability, with the increase of Yb3+ content in glass ceramic. However, when Yb3+ doping reached 4.0 mol% the concentration quenching effect appeared.