Infrared emissions in MgSrAl10O17:Er3+ phosphor co-doped with Yb3+/Ba2+/Ca2+ obtained by solution combustion route

An intense infrared emitting MgSrAl10O17:Er3+ phosphor co-doped with Yb3+, Ba2+ and Ca2+ ions have been prepared by a solution combustion method. Phase purity of the derived compounds was confirmed by X-ray diffraction technique. The vibrational properties of MgSrAl10O17 phosphor was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The broad and strong infrared emission of Er3+ ions at around 1.53 μm was observed upon excitation at 980 nm. Effect of co-doping with the Yb3+, Ba2+ and Ca2+ ions on the infrared luminescence intensity of Er3+ ions and the mechanism responsible for the variation in the infrared intensity have been discussed. The results indicate that these materials may be suitable for the optical telecommunication window and wavelength division multiplexing applications.