Spectroscopic calculation of NaYF4 contained transparent glass ceramics doped with different content of Nd3+

Transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics doped with different content of Nd3+ were fabricated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed abundant spherical NaYF4 nano-crystals distributing homogeneously among the glass matrix. The absorption spectra, emission spectra and 4F3/2 level fluorescence decay curves of the precursor glasses and glass ceramics were measured. The considerable blue shifts of absorption peaks and longer lifetime of 4F3/2 level in glass ceramic compared to those in precursor glass indicate the incorporation of Nd3+ into NaYF4 crystallites, which is also confirmed by the Judd–Ofelt calculation. The synchronous variations of the fluorescence lifetime and the quantum efficiency with Nd3+ doping level in glass ceramics indicate the existence of concentration quenching effect, which is considered to originate from the interaction between Nd3+ ions.