Structural and Near-Infrared Properties of Nd Activated LuNbO Phosphor.

Undoped and Nd doped lutetium niobate phases have been prepared by a conventional solid state reaction method using lutetium acetate and niobium oxide at 1250 °C for 6 h. X-ray diffraction patterns of the 6 mol% LuNbO sample exhibited a cubic fluorite single phase. Phase structure exhibited interesting crystallization behaviour depending on increasing Nd concentration which led to a LuNbO single phase formation during the heat treatment process. SEM investigations were also in agreement with the XRD results. Morphologies of Nd doped lutetium niobate powders exhibited oval like shapes and grain sizes varied between 0.3 and 5 μm. Near-infrared luminescence properties of Nd doped LuNbO were also studied. 1.06 μm laser transition characteristics of Nd doped lutetium niobate have been observed. Concentration quenching phenomenon was not detected depending on increasing Nd doping concentrations at room temperature.