Effects of post heat treatment on near infrared photoluminescence of YAG:Yb3+ nanoparticles synthesized by glycothermal method

Influence of post heat treatment on particulate, structural, surface, and optical properties of YAG:Yb3+ nanoparticles prepared by glycothermal method is studied to understand factors for determining photoluminescence intensity. Characterization is performed on electron microscopy, X-ray diffractometry, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and optical measurements. Near infrared emission under 940 nm near infrared excitation is observed at 1029 nm corresponding to 2F5/2→2F7/2 transition of Yb3+. Subsequent heat treatment causes crystallite growth and elimination of hydroxyl groups, resulting in an enhancement of the near infrared emission.