Thermal sensor and optical heater of upconversion phosphor: Yb3+/Er3+ co-doped KY(MoO4)2

Upconversion (UC) phosphors KY(MoO4)2: xYb3+, 2%Er3+ have been synthesized by a typical hydrothermal process. The UC luminescence, thermal sensing and optical heating properties have been investigated in the paper. From the UC luminescence spectra, the phosphors show two intense green emissions at 532 nm and 553 nm under the excitation of 980 nm, which can be used to discuss the temperature sensing performance with the temperature ranging 313-563 K. The maximum sensitivity is obtained around 0.0163 K−1 at 523 K. Additionally, the laser excitation heating effect was also explored, the lattice temperature varies from 308.2 to 426.2 K with increasing of power densities from 12.73 to 82.80 W/cm2. The experimental results indicate that the KY(MoO4)2: Yb3+/Er3+ phosphor may be used as potential material with thermometric and optical heating characters.