Temperature dependence of spectroscopic properties and energy transfer in Nd3+/Yb3+ co-doped silicate glass

In this work, we explore detailed energy transfer processes between Nd 3+ and Yb 3+ ions in silicate glasses. The absorption, temperature dependent emission spectra and decays of Yb 3+ and Nd 3+ singly doped and Nd 3+ /Yb 3+ co-doped silicate glasses were measured and analyzed. The phonon assisted Nd 3+ →Yb 3+ energy transfer was investigated. The phonons of 621 cm −1 and 1090 cm −1 contributing greatly to accelerate the energy transfer Nd 3+ → Yb 3+ and Yb 3+ → Nd 3+ , respectively. The energy transfer efficiencies between Yb 3+ and Nd 3+ ions were theoretically and experimentally studied. We find that the cumulative time decreased with increasing temperature for Nd 3+ →Yb 3+ , whereas the cumulative time peaked at 350 K for Yb 3+ →Nd 3+ . We report increased energy transfer efficiencies of Nd 3+ →Yb 3+ (73.19–82.31%) and Yb 3+ →Nd 3+ (9.97–18.11%) with increasing temperature implying Nd 3+ and Yb 3+ co-doped silicate glass may be a promising candidate for efficient temperature sensors. • Temperature dependent spectroscopic properties of Nd 3+ and Yb 3+ ions were studied. • Broadband absorption and emission of Nd 3+ and Yb 3+ were obtained in silicate glass. • Longest lifetime of Yb 3+ ions was observed in silicate glass. • High energy transfer efficiencies of Nd 3+ ↔ Yb 3+ were obtained in silicate glass.