Excited states dynamics of Er3+ in Sc2O3 ceramic

The spectral characteristics of Er3+ in Sc2O3 transparent ceramics are presented. The Er3+ visible spectra in the ceramics, prepared by solid-state synthesis, show only lines that could be assigned to C2 sites. The Stark energy levels, cross-sections and emission kinetics of levels involved in the green upconversion emission under infrared excitation in the 800 nm range were determined. The green upconversion emission (2H11/2, 4S3/2)→4I15/2 characteristics under excitation with a pulsed Ti:sapphire laser in (4I15/2→4I9/2) absorption were analyzed. The emission kinetics reveal a competition of two-step (4I15/2→4I9/2)+(4I9/2→2H9/2) excited state absorption (ESA) and (4I11/2, 4I15/2)→(4I11/2, 4F7/2) energy transfer upconversion (ETU) processes function on the excitation wavelength.