Effect of Yb3+ concentration on photoluminescence properties of cubic Gd2O3 phosphor

Yb3+ doped phosphor of Gd2O3 (Gd2O3:Yb3+) have been prepared by solid state reaction method. The structure and the particle size have been determined by X-ray powder diffraction measurements. The average particle size of the phosphor is in between 35 and 50 nm. The particle size and structure of the phosphor was further confirmed by TEM analysis. The visible and NIR luminescence spectra were recorded under the 980 nm laser excitation. The visible upconversion luminescence of Yb3+ ion was due to cooperative luminescence and the presence of rare earth impurity ions. The cooperative upconversion and NIR luminescence spectra as a function of Yb3+ ion concentration were measured and the emission intensity variation with Yb3+ ion concentration was discussed. Yb3+ energy migration quenched the cooperative luminescence of Gd2O3:Yb3+ phosphor with doping level over 5%, while the NIR emission luminescence continuously increases with increasing Yb3+ ion concentration.