Wide-range temperature sensor based on enhanced up-conversion luminescence in Er3+/Yb3+ co-doped Y2O3 crystal fiber

The Y2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ crystal fiber material has been successfully prepared by laser heated pedestal growth method. The X-ray diffraction results indicate that the prepared Y2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ luminescent material, which is optically transparent under the optical microscope, possesses pure Y2O3 crystal phase. The up-conversion luminescence corresponding to the (H-2(11/2), S-4(3/2), F-4(9/2)) -> I-4(15/2) transitions of Er3+ ions were recorded under a 976 nm laser diode excitation. The up-conversion emission intensities from the H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2) and S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2) transitions of Er3+ ions were studied from room temperature to 873 K by fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technique. It has been found that the prepared Y2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ crystal fiber has high-efficient up-conversion emissions, and effectively improves the temperature measurement accuracy and range, making Y2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ crystal fiber an interesting candidate for optical temperature sensor.