Controllable formation of Er3+–Yb3+ codoped Al2O3 films by the non-aqueous sol–gel method

1 mol%Er3+–10 mol%Yb3+ codoped Al2O3 thin films have been prepared on thermally oxidized SiO2/Si(110) substrates by a dip-coating process in the non-aqueous sol–gel method from the hydrolysis of aluminum isopropoxide [Al(OC3H7)3] under isopropanol environment. Addition of N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a drying control chemical additive (DCCA) into the sol suppresses formation of the cracks in the Er3+–Yb3+ codoped Al2O3 thin films when the rare-earth ion is doped with a high doping concentration. Homogeneous, smooth and crack-free Er3+–Yb3+ codoped Al2O3 thin films form at the conditions by a molar ratio of 1:1 for DMF:Al(OC3H7)3. A strong photoluminescence spectrum with a broadband extending from 1.400 to 1.700 µm centered at 1.533 µm is obtained for the Er3+–Yb3+ codoped Al2O3 thin films, which is unrelated to the addition of DMF. Controllable formation of the Er3+–Yb3+ codoped Al2O3 thin films may be explained by the fact that the DMF assisted the deprotonation process of Al–OH at the surfaces of gel particles, resulting in enhancement of the degree of polymerization of sols and improvement of the mechanical properties of gel thin films.