Intense 1540 nm emission from Er doped Ce:YAG phosphor

A very efficient energy transfer from Ce3+ to Er3+ in yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) matrix is observed. The transfer gives about 1000 times enhancement to the Er3+ 1540 nm emission. This is due to efficient absorption by the allowed 4f-5d transition of Ce3+ ions then transfer to Er3+ ions via a matched energy level F 92 4. Thus the 1540 nm emission was strongly sensitized by exciting an allowed transition in an inorganic matrix. In fact, the 1540 nm emission was further enhanced via the cross-relaxation process F 52 2 →2 F72 (Ce3+), I 112 4 →4 I132 (Er3+). The result means that a new class of material, Ce Er:YAG, was produced and it potentially can be an efficient near-IR emitter.