Enhancement of up-conversion luminescence from Er3+–Yb3+-codoped tellurite films by Ag nanoparticles embedded in glass substrates

The glass substrates containing metal Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were fabricated by electric field-assisted ion diffusion process. The Er3+–Yb3+-codoped tellurite thin films were deposited on these substrates via non-hydrolytic sol–gel method. The effect of metal Ag NPs embedded in glass substrates on up-conversion luminescence of tellurite thin films was investigated. It was found that the up-conversion luminescence of thin film was significantly enhanced by the metal Ag NPs embedded in glass substrates. The reverse electric field-assisted ion diffusion process was also applied to induce the migration and aggregation of the metal Ag NPs. As the metal Ag NPs aggregated closer towards the surface layer of glass substrates, the larger enhancement effect of up-conversion luminescence was achieved. The enhancement factors for green emission increased from dozens up to hundreds of times. This work provides a novel pathway for surface-plasmon-enhanced up-conversion luminescence. And a new application for the electric field-assisted ion diffusion process was also opened up through this work.