Short CommunicationNd3Â +, Ho3Â +-codoped garnet-related Li7La3Hf2O12 phosphor with NIR luminescence

•Rietveld refinement of the crystal structures of Li7La3-xNdxHf2O12:Ho3 + synthesized using a modified solid state method.•Near-infrared phosphors based on Li7La3−xNdxHf2O12:Ho3 + (x = 0.00-0.15).•The presence of Ho3+ ions with residual concentration in the Li7La3-xNdxHf2O12 garnet stimulates NIR luminescence at 2-3 μm.

Simultaneous emission lines around 1.05 μm, 1.3 μm, 1.8 μm, 2.1 μm and 2.7 μm have been observed in Li7La3 − xNdxHf2O12:Ho3 + (x = 0.00-0.15) under 808 nm laser diode excitation. Near-infrared luminescence due to holmium ions with residual concentration in the Li7La3Hf2O12 host has been studied. The intensity of 2.1 and 2.7 μm lines associated with 5I7 → 5I8 and 5I6 → 5I7 transitions in Ho3 + depends on the neodymium codopant concentration. This result indicates that Nd3 + ions can be potentially used as sensitizers for Ho3 + ions to stimulate the intense near-infrared emission in this system. Possible energy transfer mechanisms between lanthanide ions have been briefly discussed.

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