Blue up-conversion emission of Yb3+-doped langbeinite salts

•Yb3+ doped langbeinite salts at different concentrations were obtained by the solid solution method.•The Yb3+ emission spectrum has only one broad band correspond to the 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 transition.•The cooperative emission has a maximum intensity at 457 nm.•Lifetime of up-conversion decrease as function of pump laser.

Yb3+-doped langbeinite salts were prepared by the solid solution method. X-ray diffraction patterns and vibrational spectroscopy confirmed that all obtained phases are highly pure, iso-structural and they crystallize in the cubic system with the space group P213. The emission luminescence comes from the 2F5/2 → 2F7/2 transition of Yb3+ ions. Moreover, intense blue cooperative emission was observed at 476 nm under excitation in the near infrared at 975 nm.