Site-resolved emission of Nd3+-doped oxyfluoride nano glass-ceramics

Transparent oxyfluoride glass-ceramics obtained by the adequate heat treatment of Nd³⁺-doped glass with composition SiO₂-A_l2O₃-Na₂O-LaF₃ are investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM) show that the precipitated nanocrystals are LaF₃ with a crystal size between 9-12 nm. Furthermore, energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis shows the incorporation of Nd³⁺ ions into the LaF₃ nanocrystals. Site-selective and time-resolved emission and excitation spectra of the ⁴F_3/2 and ⁴F_5/2 states, allows to unambiguously isolate the emission of Nd³⁺ ions in LaF₃ nanocrystals which shows well defined spectra, similar to those obtained for pure LaF₃ crystal.