Luminescence of Oxyfluoride Glasses Containing Yb 3+ –RE 3+ Ions

The optical absorption and up-conversion luminescence of oxyfluoride glasses in the system SiO 2 –PbO–PbF 2 –CdF 2 coactivated by Yb 3+ –RE 3+ ions (where RE = Er, Tm, Ho, Dy, Pr, or Tb) are investigated. Excitation with a laser diode in the IR range (960 nm) gives intense green, blue, and red luminescence. The color characteristics of the up-conversion luminescence in the CIE 1931 system are determined. The efficiency of energy transfer from the Yb 3+ to the RE 3+ ions is found to be 70% for RE = Er, Tm, and Ho. The efficiency of cooperative energy transfer reaches 10% for glass with Yb–Tb ions.