Upconversion in Er3+-doped Bi2O3-Li2O-BaO-PbO tertiary glass

Radiative properties of Er3+-doped tertiary bismuth glass has been analyzed by the Judd-Ofelt theory. NIR to visible upconversion in the Er3+-doped glass has been reported. The mechanism for the upconversion is explained on the basis of quadratic dependence on excitation power and on the energy-matching scheme. Energy transfer is noted as the dominant process including the long-lived 4I11/2 level as the intermediate state for the green and red upconversion emissions. The effect of temperature on the fluorescence intensity of the two bands due to 2H11/2 → 4I15/2 and 4S3/2 → 4I15/2 transitions as well as on the transitions due to Stark components of the 4S3/2 level have been monitored and it is concluded that their intensity ratio may serve as better temperature sensing device.