Multi-parametric thermal sensing based on NIR emission of Ho(III) doped CaWO4 phosphors

Optical thermometry based on trivalent rare earth doped materials has attracted much attention recently. This article reported the temperature dependent near infrared luminescence of Ho3+ doped in CaWO4 phosphors. A series of CaWO4:Ho3+ powders have been synthesized by high temperature solid state reaction. The XRD patterns showed that the Ho3+ ions have occupied the lattice sites of Ca2+ ions in the phosphors. The thermometry effect was demonstrated by different spectroscopic parameters through the emission intensity of Ho3+: 5I6 → 5I8 transition at ∼1190 nm, the spectral shift of the charge transfer band of W-O and the lifetime of Ho3+: 5F4, 5S2 excited state. These three optical parameters present a simple linear relation with the temperature in the range of 30-300 °C. This allows for accurate thermal sensing based on simultaneous measurement of these parameters. Results show that CaWO4:Ho3+ phosphors might be served as a potential candidate for thermometry.