Photoluminescence of Sm3+, Dy3+, and Tm3+-doped transparent glass ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals

Photoluminescence properties of Sm3+, Dy3+, and Tm3+-doped transparent oxyfluoride silicate glass ceramics containing CaF2 nanocrystals were reported. Emission bands of 4G5/2 → 6H5/2 (562 nm), 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 (598 nm), 4G5/2 → 6H9/2 (645 nm) and 4G5/2 → 6H11/2 (706 nm) for the Sm3+: glass and glass ceramic, with an excitation at 6H5/2 → 4F7/2 (402 nm) have been recorded. Of them, 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 (598 nm) has shown a bright orange emission. With regard to the Dy3+: glass, a bright fluorescent yellow emission at 575 nm (4F9/2 → 6H13/2) and blue emission at 481 nm (4F9/2 → 6H15/2) have been observed, apart from 662 nm (4F9/2 → 6H11/2) emission transition with an excitation at 386 nm (6H15/2 → 4I13/2 + 4F7/2) wavelength. Emission bands of 1G4 → 3F4 (650 nm) and 1G4 → 3H5 (795 nm) transitions for the Tm3+: glass and glass ceramic, with an excitation at 3H6 → 1G4 (467 nm) have been observed. Of them, 1G4 → 3F4 (650 nm) has shown bright red emission. Decay lifetime measurements were also carried out for all the observed Sm3+, Dy3+, and Tm3+-doped glass and glass ceramic emission bands.