Novel laser nanomaterials based on rare-earth compounds

We report on the infrared-to-visible upconversion luminescence in microcrystalline powders and photonic crystal fibers filled with nanocolloids of trivalent rare-earth ion co-doped NaYF4 phosphor. The phosphor was prepared using a simple co-precipitation synthetic method. Nanocolloids of the phosphor were prepared by selective precipitation in methanol and laser ablation in water. Optical dynamic scatterometry determined average particle sizes of the nanocolloids of 1.5–1.9 nm in methanol and 83.8–86.4 nm in water. Nanocolloids of these phosphors were utilized as laser filling medium in photonic crystal fibers. - Highlights: ► Synthesize highly efficient hexagonal-phase NaYF4:Er3+, Yb3+ powder and nanocolloid. ► Laser/amplifier containing the NaYF4 nanocolloid were pumped with 980 nm diode laser. ► Emission peaks were observed at 540 nm, 654 nm and 840.4 nm from the fiber arrangement.