Growth and characterization of Pr3+-doped Gd1−xYbxF3 fluoride single crystal for visible up-conversion luminescence applications

New rare-earth trifluorides of Gd1−xYbxF3 crystals were grown using the micro-pulling-down (μ-PD) method and single crystals were obtained for composition of x between 0.12 and 0.42 in the current study. Neither visible inclusions nor cracks were observed. Room temperature up-conversion luminescence spectra of Praseodymium (Pr3+) -doped Gd1−xYbxF3 were studied. Visible Pr3+ emission was obtained under infrared laser pumping on the ytterbium (Yb3+) absorption broadband at 935.5 nm. The origin of this emission will be discussed as a function of the decay times.