Synthesis and spectroscopic properties of GdAl3(BO3)4 poly-crystals codoped with Yb3+ and Eu3+

GdAl3(BO3)4 polycrystals co-doped with Yb3+ and Eu3+ has been synthesised by combustion method with urea. Upon the excitation at 465 nm (Eu3+/7F6-->5D2 transition), emission bands centered at 590, 613, 697 and 702 nm in the wavelength region of 550-750 nm have clearly been observed, assigned to the electronic transitions of 5D0-->7FJ (J=1, 2, 4 and 5) of Eu3+ ions, respectively. Meanwhile, an intense emission centred at 980 nm along with a shoulder at 1,040 nm has also been observed by exploiting a cross-relaxation process between the transitions of Eu3+/5D0-->7F6 and Yb3+/2F7/2-->2F5/2. On the contrary, an intense red up-conversion emission centred at 613 nm originated from the 5D0-->7F2 transition of Eu3+ has been observed upon excitation with 980 nm laser diode. The quadratic dependence of the red up-conversion intensity on the pump-laser power reveals a cooperative energy transfer mechanism from a pair of Yb3+ ions to one Eu3+ ion.