Luminescence of Y(3)AL(5)O(12) nano-particles doped with praseodymium ions

We have investigated the spectroscopic properties of the praseodymium ion in a Y3Al5O12 (YAG) nanopowder with an average particle size of 58 nm as function of temperature between 29K and 300 K. The luminescence spectra were obtained by exciting selectively the sample at 460 and 609 nm, resulting in the excitation of the P-3(0) and D-1(2) levels, respectively. With excitation in the P-3(0) level, emissions from this level and from the 102 level were observed. Time resolved spectra and decay pattern inspection were used to assign spectral lines to specific radiative transitions. With excitation of the D-1(2) level, luminescence emitted by the same level and up-converted emission from the P-3(0) level were observed