Bright green emissions at 549 and 526 nm have been observed from sol-gel de
rived Er3+:BaTiO3 powders upon excitations at two near infrared (NIR) wavel
engths of 973 and 816 nm. The decay characteristics were measured and studi
ed. It was found that the predominant emission at 549 nm has very different
lifetimes upon excitation at 973 and 816 nm, which was explained by the me
chanisms of excited state absorption (ESA) of individual Er3+ ion and coope
rative energy transfer (CET) between two near Er3+ ions for the up-conversi
on emission. Analysis also showed that 973-nm excitation is more effective
for the green up-conversion emission. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All ri
ghts reserved.