Role of Yb3+ and Tm3+ ions in upconversion emission of Tb3+ under 798 and 980 nm laser excitations in Tb3+–Tm3+–Yb3+ doped tellurite glass

Upconversion emission and energy transfer processes in singly, doubly and triply doped tellurite glasses have been studied under 798 and 980 nm laser excitations. Emissions have been observed at 482, 544, 584, 655 nm and at 477, 655, 698, 800 nm corresponding to Tb3+: 5D4 → 7F6, 7F5, 7F4, 7FJ (J = 0, 1, 2, 3) and Tm3+: 1G4 → 3H6, 1G4 → 3F4, 3F3 → 3H6, 3H4 → 3H6 transitions, respectively. Among Tm3+, Yb3+and Tb3+ ions only Tm3+ has a ground state absorption at 798 nm excitation due to 3H4 ← 3H6 transition. For 980 nm excitation only Yb3+ can absorb the incident radiation. However, for both types of excitations, emission from all the three ions Tb, Yb and Tm has been observed. Possible mechanisms are proposed as follows: under 798 nm excitation Tm3+ ions are excited which excite Yb3+ ions through energy transfer. Finally “cooperative energy transfer” from a pair of Yb3+ ions to Tm3+ and Tb3+ ions takes place. Under 980 nm excitation Yb3+ ions absorb the incident energy and excite Tm3+ and Tb3+ ions via cooperative energy transfer. Variation of emission intensity with the ion concentrations of Yb3+, Tm3+ and Tb3+ has been studied. The lifetime of the 1G4 level has also been measured.