Near infrared emission in garnet structured LiCa3MgV3O12:Nd3+/Yb3+ phosphor

Abstract

Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺ singly as well as co-doped LiCa₃MgV₃O₁₂ vanadate phosphors producing Near Infrared (NIR) emission have been synthesized using a traditional solid-state reaction route. Diffraction patterns of LiCa₃MgV₃O₁₂ recorded via Powder X-ray Diffraction (PXRD) and confirmed polycrystalline nature with space group Ia$\bar{3}$d corresponds to cubic crystal structure. Surface and elemental mapping have been performed by using SEM and EDX analysis. The investigation of Nd³⁺doped LiCa₃MgV₃O₁₂ focused on analysing its excitation and emission spectra. By stimulating host material ultraviolet (UV)region with excitation wavelength of 340 nm, the phosphor containing Nd³⁺ in LiCa₃MgV₃O₁₂ exhibited a highly efficient NIR emission at 1069 nm when. In Yb³⁺doped LiCa₃MgV₃O₁₂, a successful demonstration of converting UV light into NIR emission was achieved through down-conversion across a wide spectrum from [VO₄]³⁻ to Yb³⁺ ions. Upon UV excitation, a strong emission in NIR region, at approximately 1000 nm was observed which well aligns with the wavelength sensitivity of silicon solar cells. The intensities of NIR emission in the Nd³⁺-Yb³⁺ co-doped LiCa₃MgV₃O₁₂ phosphor exhibited significant enhancement when compared to the singly doped Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺ samples. LiCa₃MgV₃O₁₂ vanadate phosphors are highly suitable for solid-state lasers and various significant optical applications.