Upconversion studies Of Ho3+ doped nanocrystalline Y2O3 prepared by a combustion synthesis technique

Recent advances in flat-panel display technology have ignited the search for new powdered phosphors with nanometer dimensions. Currently, phosphors in the micrometer size range find applications in a wide variety of information display devices such as cathode-ray tubes (CRTs), field emission displays (FEDs), vacuum fluorescent displays (VFDs) and electroluminescent (EL) devices [1]. Micrometer sized Y203:Eu3+ phosphors have been used since the 1970's as the red component in television projection tubes and fluorescent lighting devices [2]. It is anticipated that the advent of nano- sized phosphors will lead not only to improved resolution but also to an increase in luminescent efficiency. A class of materials that has shown considerable promise in delivering these qualities are lanthanide doped nanocrystalline materials.