Intensity analysis and energy-level modeling of Nd$^{3+}$ in Nd$^{3+}$:Y$_{2}$O$_{3}$ nanocrystals in polymeric hosts

ORAL

Abstract

Optical absorption and emission intensities are investigated for Nd$^{3+}$ in nanocrystalline Nd$^{3+:}$Y$_{2}$O$_{3}$. Room temperature absorption intensities of Nd$^{3+}$(4$f^{3})$ transitions in synthesized Nd$^{3+:}$Y$_{2}$O$_{3 }$nanocrystals have been analyzed using the Judd-Ofelt (J-O) approach to obtain the phenomenological intensity parameters. The J-O intensity parameters are used to calculate the spontaneous emission probabilities, radiative lifetimes, and branching ratios of the Nd$^{3+}_{ }$transitions from the upper multiplet manifolds to the corresponding lower-lying multiplet manifolds $^{2S+1}L_{J}$ of Nd$^{3+}$(4$f^{3})$. The emission cross sections and room temperature fluorescence lifetimes of the important intermanifold $^{4}F_{3/2} \quad \to $ $^{4}I_{J }$(J=9/2, 11/2, 13/2, 15/2)$_{ }$transitions have been determined. We also compare the spectra of the Nd$^{3+}$:Y$_{2}$O$_{3}$ nanocrystals to those of the nanocrystals embedded in polymeric matrices of epoxy and chitosan, and we find similarities in terms of the detailed Stark energy levels of the Nd$^{3+ }$ion in the Y$_{2}$O$_{3}$ nanocrystalline host. The 300 K spectra$_{ }$are analyzed for the energy (Stark) level transitions between the $^{2S+1}L_{J}$ multiplet manifolds of Nd$^{3+}$(4$f^{3})$. The results of this study are also compared with a crystal-field splitting analysis reported earlier for single-crystal Nd$^{3+}$:Y$_{2}$O$_{3}$ grown by a modified flame fusion method.

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Authors

  • Robert Dennis

    University of Texas at San Antonio

  • Bruce Gnade

    Grand Valley State University, STC, Health Physics Society, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, PIEAS, Pakistan, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX and PIEAS Pakistan, Rutgers University, Department of Physics, Texas A\&M University, College Station, TX 77843, Waxahachie Global High School, Waxahachie, TX, University of Texas at San Antonio, Tohoku University Institute of Materials Research, University of Alberta Department of Physics, Istanbul University Department of Physics, Geophysical Institute, Tohoku University, Japan, Planetary Plasma and Atmospheric Research Center, Tohoku University, Japan, Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, Japan, Austin Community College, Dallas Baptist University, Angelo State University, Lake Highlands High School, Baylor University, Waco, TX, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Fort Worth, TX, Success High School, Fort Worth, TX, Dept. of Math., Univ. of New Mexico, Depts. of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas

  • Bruce Gnade

    Grand Valley State University, STC, Health Physics Society, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, PIEAS, Pakistan, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX and PIEAS Pakistan, Rutgers University, Department of Physics, Texas A\&M University, College Station, TX 77843, Waxahachie Global High School, Waxahachie, TX, University of Texas at San Antonio, Tohoku University Institute of Materials Research, University of Alberta Department of Physics, Istanbul University Department of Physics, Geophysical Institute, Tohoku University, Japan, Planetary Plasma and Atmospheric Research Center, Tohoku University, Japan, Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, Japan, Austin Community College, Dallas Baptist University, Angelo State University, Lake Highlands High School, Baylor University, Waco, TX, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Fort Worth, TX, Success High School, Fort Worth, TX, Dept. of Math., Univ. of New Mexico, Depts. of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas

  • Bruce Gnade

    Grand Valley State University, STC, Health Physics Society, The University of Texas at San Antonio, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, Texas, PIEAS, Pakistan, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX and PIEAS Pakistan, Rutgers University, Department of Physics, Texas A\&M University, College Station, TX 77843, Waxahachie Global High School, Waxahachie, TX, University of Texas at San Antonio, Tohoku University Institute of Materials Research, University of Alberta Department of Physics, Istanbul University Department of Physics, Geophysical Institute, Tohoku University, Japan, Planetary Plasma and Atmospheric Research Center, Tohoku University, Japan, Solar-Terrestrial Environment Laboratory, Nagoya University, Japan, Austin Community College, Dallas Baptist University, Angelo State University, Lake Highlands High School, Baylor University, Waco, TX, Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, TX, Paul Laurence Dunbar High School, Fort Worth, TX, Success High School, Fort Worth, TX, Dept. of Math., Univ. of New Mexico, Depts. of Materials Science and Engineering and Chemistry, University of Texas at Dallas