Up-conversion and Photoluminescence in Er3+ Single Crystal MgAl-spinel

Traditional and up-conversion luminescence of MgAl2O4 single crystal doped with erbium ions obtained by the Verneuil method has been investigated. The time resolved spectral measurements of the green and red up-conversion luminescence bands show that a build-up part is present in the up-conversion luminescence kinetics. This means that energy transfer process is involved in the creation of the luminescence. Considering rather small concentration of Er3+ in the material (0.12 mass %), the expected up-conversion mechanism should be excited state absorption since the average distance between erbium ions is high. The above-mentioned considerations suggest that clustering of the activator ions is present in the material, which is supported by SEM analysis.