Spectroscopic Investigation of Up-Conversion Properties in Green Emitting BaMgF₄:Yb³⁺,Tb³⁺ Phosphor

In this work we have comprehensively studied the up-conversion (UC) properties of BaMgF₄:Yb³⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphor for the first time. BaMgF₄:Yb³⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphors were prepared by a simple and low cost precipitation method. To determine the influence of dopant concentration on luminescence properties, the corresponding UC luminescence spectra of BaMgF₄:Yb³⁺,Tb³⁺ phosphors were studied under NIR excitation. Emission spectra under NIR excitation reveal the vital role of Tb³⁺ concentration in spectral tuning from the blue to green region. The UC decay curves were also studied to explore the possible energy transfer (ET) mechanisms between Yb³⁺ and Tb³⁺. The results reported here are expected to provide an approach for better understanding ET mechanisms in many Yb³⁺/Tb³⁺ codoped UC phosphors. This study will be helpful in applications where precisely defined optical transitions is an essential criterion.