Co-doped Y_2O_3:Tb^3+/Tm^3+ multicolor emitting phosphors for thermometry

In this study, the new temperature-dependent phosphor, Y2O3:Tb3+/Tm3+, was investigated for high-temperature thermometry. The photoluminescence intensity at 456 nm emitted from Tm3+ was strong at temperatures higher than 1100 K, whereas the peak intensities emitted from Tb3+ decreased due to the thermal quenching effect. Thus, the intensity ratio between those emissions showed an appropriate variation for thermometry over a wide temperature range. In addition, the phosphors showed a distinct change of visible emission colors from green to blue with increasing temperature. These findings suggest the applicability of these phosphors in visual thermo-sensors.