Optical properties of nanocrystalline-coatedY2O3:Er3+, Yb3+ obtained by mechano-chemical and combustion synthesis.

International audience; Y2O3:Er3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals have been obtained by ball milling and using a combustion synthesis procedure. In both cases the nanocrystals have been successfully coated with SiO2 following the Stöber method. The average size of the as-synthesized nanoparticles has been estimated from X-ray diffraction patterns and transmission electron microscopy images. The dependence of the optical properties of these samples on synthesis procedure or dopant concentration has been investigated. Emission, excitation and lifetime measurements have been carried out. Upconversion luminescence has been detected in all samples and an enhancement of the red to green emission ratio has bee…