Microstructure and Spectral Property of Er3+ Doped Transparent Oxyfluoride Glass Ceramics with High Fluorine Contents

The microstructure and spectral properties of Er3+ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics with high fluorine content were reported. Two samples with the same initial contents (50SiO(2)-45PbF(2)-5PbO-1ErF(3)) were prepared under the different preparation parameters. The final fluorine contents were detected by a fluoride ion selective electrode. The results shows that the final fluorine contents increase by covering crucibles with corundum lid during melt. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction. transmission electron microscopy (TEM), absorption spectra and upconversion luminescence spectra. The results show that PbF2 crystals were precipitated in the sample with high fluorine content before heat treatment. And the PbF2 crystals precipitated inside the glass matrix are spherical with diameters of approximately 10-15 nm in size from the high resolution TEM micrograph. The absorption spectra. J-O parameters and the upconversion spectra show that the Er3+ ions were located in crystalline and vitreous mixed states. It is different from the sample with low fluorine content which is completely amorphous. After heat treatment. Er3+ ions that remain in the glassy phase entered Into fluoride nanocrystals in the sample with high fluorine content. The fluorine environment decreases non-radiative transfer which eases the upconversion processes. Hence, the upconversion luminescence intensity of Er3+ ions in the high fluorine content sample after heat treatment is much stronger than that in the precursor sample.