Largest Enhancement of Broadband Near-Infrared Emission of Ni²⁺ in Transparent Nanoglass Ceramics: Using Nd³⁺ as a Sensitizer and Yb³⁺ as an Energy-Transfer Bridge

Abstract

An ultrabroadband near-infrared (NIR) emission of Ni 2+ is demonstrated in a highly transparent nano-glass ceramic (nano-GC) containing Ga 2 O 3 nanocrystals with 808 nm excitation of Nd 3+. It is also shown that by adding Yb 3+ as an energy transfer (ET) bridge, the Ni 2+ emission could be substantially enhanced. The dopant distribution was studied using advanced analytical transmission electron microscopy. This, together with optical transmission measurements, steady-state and time-resolved emission spectra, is utilized to understand the underlying ET mechanisms between Nd 3+ , Yb 3+ , and Ni 2+. The feasibility of this device as a viable source is demonstrated using dual-laser pumping at 808 and 980 nm for the greatest Ni 2+ emission enhancement reported to date. The Nd 3+ /Yb 3+ /Ni 2+ triply doped nano-GC offers a promising gain medium for broadband and tunable NIR fiber amplifiers.

Ni2+-Doped Yttrium Aluminum Gallium Garnet Phosphors: Bandgap Engineering for Broad-Band Wavelength-Tunable Shortwave-Infrared Long-Persistent Luminescence and Photochromism

“…Guided by the design concept mentioned above, we screened some potential candidates and carried out proof-of-concept experiments focused on Ni 2+ -doped Y 3 Al 5– x Ga x O 12 solid solutions. The transition-metal ion Ni 2+ was usually adopted as an activator, generating SWIR emission for optical telecommunication and quantum technology applications when it resided in 6-fold octahedrally coordinated sites. − However, Ni 2+ -doped SWIR persistent phosphors were rarely reported. , In the as-obtained phosphors, bifunctional properties with SWIR long-persistent luminescence and photochromism properties were observed. The superbroad emission band originated form 3 T 2 ( 3 F) → 3 A 2 ( 3 F) transitions of the Ni 2+ ions was controllably tuned by crystal field modification.…”

New Series of Pentanary Oxides, AM2C6Te3O18 (A = Pb, Sr; M = Mn, Cd; C = Ni, Co): Synthesis, Structure, and Magnetic and Optical Properties

“…The optical absorption spectra (Figure a) of AM 2 Ni 6 Te 3 O 18 (A = Pb, Sr; M = Cd, Mn) exhibit broad triplet absorption bands that range from approximately 400 to 1200 nm, which leaves a window of almost no absorption in the green region of the visible spectrum. The octahedral Ni 2+ ions generally exhibit three spin-allowed transitions (Figure S8): (i) 3 A 2g → 3 T 2g , IR region; (ii) 3 A 2g → 3 T 1g (F), visible; and (iii) 3 A 2g → 3 T 1g (P), visible. , The splitting over ν 1 , ν 2 , and ν 3 can be assigned to the lowering of the symmetry. , On the other hand, Co-compounds display two absorption maxima centered around 1250 and 550 nm (Figure b). Octahedral Co 2+ normally exhibits three spin-allowed transitions (Figure S8): (i) 4 T 1g → 4 T 2g (F) (∼1250 nm), (ii) 4 T 1g → 4 A 2g (F) (∼700 nm), and (iii) 4 T 1g → 4 T 1g (P) (∼580). ,, The shoulders of the visible band can be attributed for transitions involving the split of higher energy terms ( 2 G, 2 H, 2 D, and 2 P). , Bands below 400 nm could be due to a ligand–metal charge transfer transition.…”

Photochromism and Persistent Luminescence in Ni-Doped ZnGa2O4 Transparent Glass-Ceramics: Toward Optical Memory Applications

“…The number and positions of excitation bands confirm that the emitting ion is Ni 2+ located in gallium the octahedral sites. 50,51 Therefore, the excitation bands can be assigned as follows (Figure 2 (b)): the first one can be attributed to the excitation through the host matrix band gap whereas the two others can be assigned to the Ni 2+ transitions 3 A 2 → 3 T 1 ( 3 P) and 3 A 2 → 3 T 1 ( 3 F), 1 E, respectively. The dip located at ca.…”

“…Indeed, since their first elaboration in 2014, ZnGa 2 O 4 -doped transparent nano-glass-ceramics (nGCs) have not only been used to demonstrate the importance of elaboration and morphological parameters on the persistent luminescence properties but also to further improve their afterglow features. This is, for instance, the case in Yb 3+ ,Cr 3+ -codoped ZnGa 2 O 4 transparent nano-glass-ceramics in which the persistent luminescence spectra are enlarged toward the SWIR region. , Nickel has already been used as a dopant in glass-ceramics with similar host matrix compositions as the one studied for ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr 3+ nGCs. , In these works, the Ni 2+ cation (located in the Ga 3+ octahedral site) emission, in the SWIR range suitable for an optical fiber amplifier in the infrared range, is reported. Still, no afterglow properties in the SWIR range of Ni 2+ in gallate materials have been reported yet.…”

“…46,49 Nickel has already been used as a dopant in glass-ceramics with similar host matrix compositions as the one studied for ZnGa 2 O 4 :Cr 3+ nGCs. 50,51 In these works, the Ni 2+ cation (located in the Ga 3+ octahedral site) emission, in the SWIR range suitable for an optical fiber amplifier in the infrared range, is reported. Still, no afterglow properties in the SWIR range of Ni 2+ in gallate materials have been reported yet.…”