Intense 1540nm 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+ 1540nm 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 F9∕24. Thus the 1540nm emission was strongly sensitized by exciting an allowed transition in an inorganic matrix. In fact, the 1540nm emission was further enhanced via the cross-relaxation process F5∕22→2F7∕2(Ce3+), I11∕24→4I13∕2(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.