IR-Emitting Luminescence Properties of CaNb2O6:Yb, Er, Ho

CaNb2O6:Yb, Er, Ho phosphors are prepared by a solid-state reaction. The optical properties, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, and luminescence mechanism of the phosphors are discussed. The samples are found to be single phases. The CaNb2O6:Yb, Er, Ho phosphor has IR emission under 940-nm excitation. Its IR luminescence spectrum consists of four bands with maxima at 1010, 1200, 1540, and 2070 nm. Energy transfer between activators is observed and analyzed via luminescence properties. The optimal concentrations of CaNb2O6:xYb, yEr, zHo phosphor at which the maximum luminescence intensity is achieved in the region of 2 mu m are x = 15 mol %, y = 7 mol %, and z = 1 mol %.