Structure dependence of near-infrared stimulated blue emission in polycrystalline Ln2(WO4)3 (Ln=Gd and Lu) doped with Tm and Yb

Tm- and Yb-doped gadolinium tungstate, (GdxTmyYb1−x−y)2(WO4)3 (x=0.7–0.9; y=0.001–0.01), have been prepared by the polymerized complex method to achieve a homogeneous dispersion of dopants and to stabilize the host structure. Decomposition (900 °C 5 h) of the precursors with x=0.8–0.9 yielded a pure monoclinic phase, while that of x=0.7 resulted in formation of an orthorhombic impurity. The monoclinic phase exhibits bright up-converted blue emission due to the 1G4→3H6 transition of Tm3+ (472 nm) upon excitation into the Yb3+:2F7/2→2F5/2 absorption band as a result of energy transfer from Yb to Tm. The orthorhombic impurity acts as a strong quencher of emission, and the quenching mechanism has been discussed on the basis of structural and spectroscopic properties of orthorhombic Lu2(WO4)3:Tm,Yb prepared by the same method.