Synthesis, Spectroscopic Studies and AFM Analysis of Ho3+ Doped Zirconium Oxide Nanoparticles

Nanometer sized crystals has attracted a lot of attention in the recent years because of the size dependent optical and electrical properties. Rare-earth ions in insulating hosts find use in a variety of applications, including phosphors for fluorescence lighting displays, monitors, lasers, fiber optic communication, biolabeling, bioimaging and solar-energy converters. Nanocrystals of trivalent holmium ion doped zirconium oxide crystals have been synthesized by using simple synthetic method. Spectroscopic studies of these nanocrystals have been conducted using visible and infrared laser excitation. Size distribution of the nanoparticles will also be discussed using atomic force microscope.