Er³⁺ luminescence as a sensor of high pressure and strong external magnetic fields

Abstract

In this paper, we present the preliminary results of the combined effect of high pressure (up to 7.5 GPa) and strong external magnetic fields (up to 28.5 T) on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped single-crystal thin films of well-oriented KY(WO₄)₂ at low temperatures. Measurements were carried out under pulsed magnetic field, exciting the Er³⁺ ions via upconversion mechanisms by a Ti:sapphire laser with the external magnetic field applied along the crystallographic b axis. The detailed study of the green ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 Er³⁺ PL after infrared excitation around 1 μm as a function of pressure and external magnetic field reveals the potential applicability of this system as sensor of high magnetic fields, high pressure and low temperature, simultaneously.

Keywords:

• photoluminescence
• pressure sensor
• intense external magnetic field
• non-magnetic diamond anvil cell

Acknowledgements

Financial support from EuroMagNET II FP7 programme, the Consolider Ingenio 2010 MALTA Project (Ref. CDS2007-0045), the Project of the Plan Nacional de Materiales (Ref. MAT2008-06873-C02-01) and MALTA INGENIO-CONSOLIDER 2010 is acknowledged.