Ratiometric thermometry using single Er3+-doped CaWO4phosphors

Abstract

Single doped CaWO₄:Er³⁺phosphors were synthesized and studied for application of optical thermal sensing within a wide range of 98-773 K. Ratiometric strategy utilizing two luminescence intensity ratios, one between host and Er³⁺band (LIR₁) and second between different Er³⁺transitions (LIR₂), results in self-referencing temperature readouts. The presence of two temperature-dependent parameters could improve thermometric characteristics and broaden the working temperature range compared to a usual single-parameter thermometer. Thermometric performances of prepared samples were evaluated in terms of thermal sensitivities, temperature resolution and repeatability. The highest sensitivity of 2.09% K^-1@300 K was found for LIR₁, whereas LIR₂provided more accurate thermal sensing with a temperature resolution of 0.06-0.1 K. Effect of Er³⁺doping concentration on sensing properties were studied. The presented findings indicate that CaWO₄:Er³⁺phosphors are perspective in dual-mode thermal sensing with high sensitivity and sub-degree resolution.

Keywords: Er3+; luminescence intensity ratio; optical thermometry; phosphors; thermal sensitivity.