Enhanced upconversion luminescence of transparent Eu^3+-doped glass-ceramics containing nonlinear optical microcrystals

Abstract

We report on near-infrared to visible upconversion luminescence in transparent Eu3+-doped SrO-TiO2-SiO2 glass-ceramics. X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that Sr2TiSi2O8 crystallites are precipitated in the glass after heat treatment at 850 degrees C for 2 h. The Eu3+-doped glass-ceramics show strongly enhanced upconversion luminescence and greatly improved damage threshold compared with the as-prepared glass. The mechanisms of the observed phenomena are discussed.