Fluorescence and temperature sensing properties of Zr4+ and Er3+ codoped Y2O3 prepared by laser annealing

Y2O3 codoped with different Zr4+ (10% mol, 30% mol, and 49% mol) and constant Er3+ (2% mol) ions were successfully prepared via the laser annealing method. According to the XRD data, the lattice parameters decrease with the increase of Zr4+, and the grain size increases with Zr4+. The crystal space group switches from Ia‐3 to Fm‐3 m at a Zr4+ concentration of 49% mol. As the concentration of doped Zr4+ increases, the upconversion emission of Er3+ decreases. The nonequivalent substitution of Y3+ by Zr4+ creates lattice defects, which affect the fluorescence intensity of Er3+ ions in the material. The temperature sensing behavior of Y88%Zr10%Er2%O1.55 crystals based on the fluorescence intensity ratio between 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4I9/2→4I15/2 transitions of Er3+ is studied. The results show that after codoping with Zr4+, the 4S3/2→4I15/2 and 4I9/2→4I15/2 transitions satisfy the Boltzmann distribution formula at temperatures above 333K. And the temperature sensing relative sensitivity can reach 2.96%K−1.