SiO2-SnO2:Er3+ transparent glass-ceramics: fabrication and photonic assessment
Résumé
This work focuses on the fabrication processes and photonic assessment of SiO2-SnO2:Er3+ monoliths. To obtain the crack-free and densified system, the sol-gel derived synthesis protocols and heat-treatment processes were optimized. The absorption measurements were employed to assess the effect of the heat-treatment on the samples and specially to estimate the –OH content. The XRD patterns were used to investigate the crystallization as well as the structure of the monoliths. The emission spectra, performed at different excitation wavelengths, evidence the presence of Er3+ in the SnO2 nanocrystals and the energy transfer from SnO2 to the rare earth ions. In addition, the efficient role of SnO2 nanocrystals as Er3+ sensitizers are also experimentally confirmed in this system.