Dual photoluminescence emission of Er3+, Yb3+ and Er3+/Yb3+ doped La3Ga5.5Nb0.5O14 ceramics under UV and IR excitation

Synthesis of pure and Yb 3+ , Er 3+ and Er 3+ /Yb 3+ doped La 3 Ga 5.5 Nb 0.5 O 14 (LGN) ceramics by solid state reaction method and their photoluminescence characteristics are presented. Er 3+ and Er 3+ /Yb 3+ doped LGN ceramics emit green light at 523 ( 2 H 11/2 → 4 I 15/2 ) and 551 ( 4 S 3/2 → 4 I 15/2 ) nm through down conversion upon UV excitation. Er 3+ /Yb 3+ -doped LGN ceramics also act as upconvertors, by transforming infrared excitation (973 nm) into UV light ( 4 G 11/2 → 4 I 15/2 ) which is due to three-photo energy transfer process. The emission characteristics confirm that LGN is a superior host material for both up and down conversions and hence it can be used for light emitting devices and biological applications. The effects of Er 3+ and Yb 3+ doping on the structure, morphology of the prepared ceramics were also studied and discussed.