Extending the Palette of Luminescent Primary Thermometers: Yb3+/Pr3+ Co-Doped Fluoride Phosphate Glasses

The unique tunable properties of glasses make them versatilematerialsfor developing numerous state-of-the-art optical technologies. Todesign new optical glasses with tailored properties, an extensiveunderstanding of the intricate correlation between their chemicalcomposition and physical properties is mandatory. By harnessing thisknowledge, the full potential of vitreous matrices can be unlocked,driving advancements in the field of optical sensors. We herein demonstratethe feasibility of using fluoride phosphate glasses co-doped withtrivalent praseodymium (Pr3+) and ytterbium (Yb3+) ions for temperature sensing over a broad range of temperatures.These glasses possess high chemical and thermal stability, workingas luminescent primary thermometers that rely on the thermally coupledlevels of Pr3+ that eliminate the need for recurring calibrationprocedures. The prepared glasses exhibit a relative thermal sensitivityand uncertainty at a temperature of 1.0% K-1 and0.5 K, respectively, making them highly competitive with the existingluminescent thermometers. Our findings highlight that Pr3+-containing materials are promising for developing cost-effectiveand accurate temperature probes, taking advantage of the unique versatilityof these vitreous matrices to design the next generation of photonictechnologies.