Enhanced near-infrared emission from Ni2+ in Cr3+∕Ni2+ codoped transparent glass ceramics

Transparent Li2O–Ga2O3–SiO2 glass ceramics containing Cr3+∕Ni2+ codoped LiGa5O8 nanocrystals were synthesized. The steady state emission spectra indicated that the near-infrared emission intensity of Ni2+ at 1300nm in Cr3+∕Ni2+ codoped glass ceramics was enhanced up to about 7.3 times compared with that in Ni2+ single-doped glass ceramics with 532nm excitation. This enhancement in emission intensity was due to efficient energy transfer from Cr3+ to Ni2+, which was confirmed by time-resolved emission spectra. The energy transfer efficiency was estimated to be 85% and the energy transfer mechanism was discussed.