Mechanism of quantum cutting in Pr3+–Yb3+ codoped oxyfluoride glass ceramics

Abstract Quantum cutting of 0.44 μm photon into 1.0 μm and 1.3 μm photons was demonstrated in Pr 3+ –Yb 3+ codoped oxyfluoride glass ceramics by spectroscopic investigation from blue to near-infrared region. The Pr 3+ –Yb 3+ codoped sample showed energy transfer (Pr 3+ : 3 P 0 → 1 G 4 )→(Yb 3+ : 2 F 5/2 ← 2 F 7/2 ). Both under 0.44 μm and 0.94 μm excitations, the codoped sample showed Pr 3+ : 1 G 4 → 3 H 4 luminescence at 1.3 μm, as well as Yb 3+ : 2 F 5/2 → 2 F 7/2 luminescence at 1.0 μm. The relative intensity of (Pr 3+ :1.3 μm/Yb 3+ :1.0 μm) by 0.44 μm excitation was much higher than that by 0.94 μm excitation. The mechanism of downconversion was proposed as a quantum cutting process by one-step energy transfer (Pr 3+ : 3 P 0 → 1 G 4 )→(Yb 3+ : 2 F 5/2 ← 2 F 7/2 ), which results in generation of two near-infrared photons via the Pr 3+ : 1 G 4 → 3 H 5 and Yb 3+ : 2 F 5/2 → 2 F 7/2 transitions.