Ultraviolet to visible frequency-conversion properties of rare earths doped glass ceramics

Nd3+, Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions doped transparent chlorophosphate glass ceramics were prepared and their frequency-conversion properties were studied. X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns evidenced the formation of expected halide nanocrystals. The absorption, excitation and emission spectra investigation indicated that some of rare earth (RE) ions were trapped in low phonon energy halide nanocrystals, and therefore an efficient down frequency-conversion was observed. The comparative spectroscopic studies of RE doped samples suggested that the glass ceramics systems are potentially applicable as efficient ultraviolet to visible frequency-conversion photonics materials.