Influence of Bi on the Er luminescence in yttrium-erbium disilicate thin films

Journal Article · Sun Sep 28 00:00:00 EDT 2014 · Journal of Applied Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4896495· OSTI ID:22305696

Scarangella, Adriana ^[1]; Miritello, Maria ^[1]; Priolo, Francesco ^[1]

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1. MATIS-IMM CNR, Via S. Sofia 64, 95123 Catania (Italy)

The influence of bismuth on erbium optical properties at 1.54 μm has been investigated in yttrium-erbium disilicate thin films synthesized by magnetron co-sputtering and implanted with two Bi different doses. The Bi depth distribution and the evolution of its oxidation states after annealing treatments at 1000 °C in two atmospheres, O₂ and N₂, have been investigated. It was found that only in O₂ the Bi³⁺ valence state is prevalent, thanks to the enhanced Bi mobility in the oxidizing ambient, as demonstrated by Rutherford backscattering spectrometry. At lower Bi content, although the formation of Bi⁰ metallic nanoparticles that are deleterious non radiative channels for Er luminescence, efficient energy transfer from Bi to Er has been obtained only in O₂. It is due to the excitation of ultraviolet broad Bi₃⁺ absorption band and the energy transfer to Er ions. We have evaluated that in this case, Er effective excitation cross section increased by a factor of 5 in respect with the one for direct Er absorption at 488 nm. At higher Bi dose, this mechanism is absent, but an increased Er optical efficiency at 1.54 μm has been observed under resonant excitation. It is due to the contribution of a fraction of Er ions having an increased lifetime. This phenomenon is associated with the formation of Bi agglomerates, induced at higher Bi doses, which well isolate Er from non-radiative quenching centers. The increased decay time assures higher optical efficiency at 1.54 μm.

• OSTI ID: 22305696
• Journal Information: Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 116, Issue 12; Other Information: (c) 2014 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
• Publisher: American Institute of Physics (AIP)
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS
SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND SUPERFLUIDITY
ABSORPTION
ANNEALING
BISMUTH ADDITIONS
BISMUTH IONS
CARRIER MOBILITY
CROSS SECTIONS
ERBIUM COMPOUNDS
ERBIUM IONS
EXCITATION
LIFETIME
LUMINESCENCE
NANOPARTICLES
OPTICAL PROPERTIES
RUTHERFORD BACKSCATTERING SPECTROSCOPY
SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION
THIN FILMS
ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION
YTTRIUM COMPOUNDS