Fluorescence Properties of Er³⁺-Doped YAG Nano-Crystals Synthesized by Glycothermal Method

Abstract

Er³⁺-doped YAG nano-crystals were prepared by glycothermal synthesis and infrared fluorescence properties were investigated. The crystallite size of the Er:YAG synthesized was around 30 nm. Heat-treatments at several temperatures (T=400, 600, 800, 1000 °C) were also performed. Emission intensity increased with increasing temperature and time. In the case of 600 °C, crystallite size was independent of the heat-treating time, while it increased at 800 °C. Increase of emission intensity of the Er:YAG heat-treated at 600 °C could be mainly due to the combustion of the organic residues as quenching centers. All of the Er:YAG obtained had emission linewidth broader than the polycrystalline Er:YAG prepared by solid-state reaction.