Intense infrared, visible up and down emissions in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped SrAl12O19 obtained by urea assisted combustion route

SrAl12O19 phosphors containing the Yb3+ and the Er3+ were prepared using the urea-assisted combustion process. The formation of the combustion products was confirmed by the XRD analysis, indicating the formation of the hexagonal phase. The Er3+ emission at 1.5 µm and the IR-to-visible up-conversion emission upon the 980-nm excitation were evaluated as a function of the excitation power. The stronger green-emission band (4S3/2 → 4I15/2) at 546 nm became evident. The intensity of the visible, up, and down emission bands were significantly enhanced in the Er3+/Yb3+:SrAl12O19 phosphor due to the energy transfer from the Yb3+ ions to the Er3+ ions. The results indicate the potential of Er3+ and Er3+/Yb3+:SrAl12O19 phosphors for applications in optoelectronic devices.