Er{sup 3+}-doped silica and hybrid organic/inorganic silica gels
- Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison, WI (United States). Dept. of Chemical Engineering
The fluorescence properties of Er{sup 3+} in densified sol-gel silica and alkyl-modified silicates are presented. In sol-gel silica, strong infrared ({sup 4}I{sub 13/2} {yields} {sup 4}I{sub 15/2}) emission was observed over a wide range of Er{sup 3+} concentrations. The effect of metal ion co-dopants, which are known to inhibit clustering of Eu{sup 3+} in sol-gel silica, on Er{sup 3+} fluorescence are also considered. The co-dopants La{sup 3+}, Y{sup 3+}, Yb{sup 3+}, and Al{sup 3+} are increasingly more effective at inhibiting Er{sup 3+} clustering and promoting a more uniform spatial distribution of Er{sup 3+} ions. Lifetime studies were also conducted to assess the extent of hydroxyl quenching. Organic/inorganic hybrid silica gels are expected to contain a lower amount of water than simple sol-gel silica gels and should be better hosts for rare earth ions. Er{sup 3+}-doped hybrid organic/inorganic gels were prepared using Si(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 4} and Ch{sub 3}Si(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 3}, (CH{sub 3}){sub 2}Si(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 2}, or C{sub 2}H{sub 5}Si(OC{sub 2}H{sub 5}){sub 3}. Er{sup 3+} fluorescence spectra and lifetime studies of these gels are presented and compared to simple Er{sup 3+}-doped sol-gel silica. The effect of organic modification on Er{sup 3+} clustering and hydroxyl retention are discussed. Er{sup 3+} upconversion properties are also discussed.
- Sponsoring Organization:
- National Science Foundation, Washington, DC (United States); Wisconsin Univ., Madison, WI (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 427747
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-960401--; ISBN 1-55899-338-X
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
Organically-modified Eu{sup 3+}-doped silica gels
Radiation hardening in sol-gel derived Er{sup 3+}-doped silica glasses