Olga A. Lipina

Nd3 +, Ho3 +-codoped garnet-related Li7La3Hf2O12 phosphor with NIR luminescence

Simultaneous emission lines around 1.05μm, 1.3μm, 1.8μm, 2.1μm and 2.7μm have been observed in Li7La3-xNdxHf2O12:Ho3+ (x=0.00-0.15) under 808nm laser diode excitation. Near-infrared luminescence due to holmium ions with residual concentration in the Li7La3Hf2O12 host has been studied. The intensity of 2.1 and 2.7μm lines associated with 5I7→5I8 and 5I6→5I7 transitions in Ho3+ depends on the neodymium codopant concentration. This result indicates that Nd3+ ions can be potentially used as sensitizers for Ho3+ ions to stimulate the intense near-infrared emission in this system. Possible energy transfer mechanisms between lanthanide ions have been briefly discussed.

Synthesis and structural study of a new group of trigermanates, CaRE2Ge3O10 (RE = La–Yb)

A new series of germanates CaRE2Ge3O10 (RE = Y, La–Yb) has been prepared using an EDTA-assisted route. Rietveld refinement of room temperature powder X-ray diffraction patterns shows that these compounds crystallize in the monoclinic system (S.G. P21/c, Z = 4) and have two morphotropic transitions. The calcium and rare earth atoms are distributed among three nonequivalent sites and form layers along the [0 0 1] direction connected into the framework through [Ge3O10]. The morphotropic transitions are accompanied by changes in the site occupancy factors of metal cations and by variation in the first and second coordination spheres of Ca2+/RE3+.

Short CommunicationNd3 +, Ho3 +-codoped garnet-related Li7La3Hf2O12 phosphor with NIR luminescence

Simultaneous emission lines around 1.05μm, 1.3μm, 1.8μm, 2.1μm and 2.7μm have been observed in Li7La3-xNdxHf2O12:Ho3+ (x=0.00-0.15) under 808nm laser diode excitation. Near-infrared luminescence due to holmium ions with residual concentration in the Li7La3Hf2O12 host has been studied. The intensity of 2.1 and 2.7μm lines associated with 5I7→5I8 and 5I6→5I7 transitions in Ho3+ depends on the neodymium codopant concentration. This result indicates that Nd3+ ions can be potentially used as sensitizers for Ho3+ ions to stimulate the intense near-infrared emission in this system. Possible energy transfer mechanisms between lanthanide ions have been briefly discussed.

Thermal Expansion and Luminescent Properties of Triorthogermanates CaLa 2- x Eu x Ge 3 O 10 ( x = 0.0–0.6)

Solid solutions CaLa2-xEuxGe3O10 (x = 0.0–0.6, Δx = 0.1) have been synthesized for the first time. The compounds are isostructural to CaLa2Ge3O10, they crystallize in the monoclinic system, space group P21/c, Z = 4. The low-temperature X-ray diffraction studies have revealed the strain anisotropy of germanate CaLa2Ge3O10 crystal lattice in the temperature range 80–298 K, and the linear thermal expansion coefficients have been calculated. The optical properties of the activated phases have been studied, and the influence of the dopant concentration and the excitation wavelength on the luminescence characteristics of the synthesized compounds has been established.

Novel IR Phosphor Based on Sr3La2(Ge3O9)2 : Nd3+,Ho3+ Germanate

Cyclogermanate Sr3La2(Ge3O9)2, isostructural to silicate Sr3Er2(Si3O9)2, activated by neodymium and holmium is obtained for the first time by the precursor method. Ion Nd3+ in the structure of Sr3La2(Ge3O9)2 is a sensitizer of the infrared luminescence of Ho3+. Excitation by radiation with a wavelength of 808 nm leads to a series of emission lines in the luminescence spectra of Sr3La2-xNdx(Ge3O9)2 : Ho3+ in the short-wave and middle-IR ranges (1.0–3.4 μm). The highest intensity of lines at 2.1 and 2.7 μm, associated with the 5I7 → 5I8 and 5I6 → 5I7 transitions in the Ho3+ ion, is found for compositions containing traces of holmium. Based on the analysis of the concentration dependences of the luminescence intensity, an optimal composition of the phosphor is determined, which ensures the maximum efficiency of conversion of laser radiation energy. The data obtained are interpreted in the assumption of cross-relaxation energy transfer from Nd3+ to Ho3+.

Structure, magnetic and optical properties of Sr3RE2(Ge3O9)2 cyclogermanates (RE = La–Gd)

A new series of Sr3RE2(Ge3O9)2 (RE = La, Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Gd) cyclogermanates has been prepared using an ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid assisted route. The powder XRD study reveals that the compounds crystallize in the monoclinic space group C2/c, Z = 4. A decrease in the crystal radius of RE3+ ions in Sr3RE2(Ge3O9)2 (RE = La–Gd) causes a morphotropic phase transition followed by a step-like change of the lattice parameters. The transition is accompanied by internal reorganization, including the redistribution of rare earth and strontium ions among three symmetry independent Sr/RE sites, a conformation change of [Ge3O9]6− rings and a variation of Sr/RE(2) atom coordination from seven-fold to nine-fold. Density functional theory calculations reveal that Sr3RE2(Ge3O9)2 compounds are indirect bandgap materials with a band gap around 3.0 eV. The magnetic property measurements indicate that Sr3RE2(Ge3O9)2 (RE = Pr, Sm, Gd) are Curie–Weiss paramagnets up to 2 K. For Sr3Eu2(Ge3O9)2 an anomaly of magnetic susceptibility is found at about 60 K. A photoluminescence study of the Sr3Sm2(Ge3O9)2 and Sr3Eu2(Ge3O9)2 samples reveals an emission in the visible spectral range, corresponding to the characteristic 4f–4f transitions in rare earth ions.