Infrared and visible emission of Er3+ in combustion-synthesized CaAl2O4 phosphors

New near-infrared luminescent, monoclinic CaAl2O4:Er3+ phosphor was prepared by using the combustion route at furnace temperatures as low as 500 °C in a few minutes. Combustion synthesized phosphor has been well characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) mapping studies. The luminescence spectra of Er3+-doped calcium aluminate were studied at UV (380 nm), vis (488 nm) and IR (980 nm) excitation. Upon UV and vis excitation, the CaAl2O4:Er3+ phosphor exhibits emission bands at ~523 nm and at ~547 nm, corresponding to transitions from the 2H11/2 and 4S3/2 erbium levels to the 4I15/2 ground state. A strong luminescence at 1.55 μm in the infrared (IR) region due to 4I13/2→4I15/2 transition has been observed in CaAl2O4:Er3+ phosphor upon 980 nm CW pumping. In the spectrum of IR-excited up-conversion luminescence, green (~523 and ~547 nm) and red (662 nm) luminescence bands were present, the latter associated with the 4F9/2→4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ ions. Both excited state absorption and energy transfer may be proposed as processes responsible for the population of the 4S3/2 and 4F9/2 erbium levels upon IR excitation. The mechanisms responsible for the up-conversion luminescence are discussed.