Violet up-converted emission in Er3+:Y2O3 nanocrystals

Er3+ ion-doped Y2O3 nanocrystals have been synthesized by co-precipitation technique. Up-conversion properties of Er3+ in Y2O3 nanocrystals under 488 nm laser excitation have been investigated. It is found that the luminescence intensities of the P3/22→I13/24 and P3/22→I11/24 transitions which originate from 2P3/2 level are much stronger comparing with that of other up-converted transitions. The study implies that developing Er3+:Y2O3 nanocrystalline materials might be promising for an up-converted violet laser application.