An intuitive method to probe phase structure by upconversion photoluminescence of Er3+ doped in ferroelectric Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-PbTiO3

Abstract

(0.97-x)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3-xPbTiO3-0.03Pb(Er1/2Nb1/2)O3 (PMN-xPT:Er) ceramics with different PT contents are prepared. The dielectric, piezoelectric, ferroelectric, and upconversion (UC) photoluminescence properties of the ceramics are investigated. The crystal structure of PMN-xPT:Er evolves from rhombohedral to the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB), and then to the tetragonal phase as the PT content increases. The ratio of red to green emission intensities of UC emission is strongly correlated with the phase structure of the host PMN-xPT:Er ceramic. The origin of this correlation is discussed based on Judd-Ofelt theory. Furthermore, based on the evolution of crystal symmetry of the PMN-xPT:Er ceramics, the crystal structure of the MPB phase of PMN-xPT is suggested.