Infrared luminescence of transparent glass ceramic containing Er3+:NaYF4 nanocrystals

The 1.53 μm emission of Er3+-doped transparent glass ceramics containing NaYF4 nanocrystals is investigated systematically. The appearance of Stark splits in the absorption and emission peaks of the glass ceramics confirms the incorporation of Er3+ into NaYF4 nanocrystals. With the raising of heating temperature for NaYF4 crystallization, the 4I13/2 level lifetime increases due to the incorporation of more Er3+ into NaYF4, while the 1.53 μm emission bandwidth decreases resulting from the structural ordering around Er3+. With the increase of Er3+ content, the obvious concentration quenching effect is observed in glass ceramics. The present glass ceramic possesses large 1.53 μm emission cross-section and high quantum efficiency, which implies that it is potentially applicable in Er3+-doped fiber amplifiers.