Optical temperature sensing using upconversion fluorescence emission in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Ga2S3:La2O3 chalcogenide glass excited at 1.06 μm is reported. Temperature measurements in the region of 20–225 °C with a resolution of approximately 0.5 °C using excitation powers of a few tens of milliwatts were obtained. The temperature sensing mechanism is independent of variations in the excitation intensity, possible fluctuations of transmission, and utilizes a simple signal detection and processing system. The results also revealed that the glass host material plays an important role in the performance of the sensing system.

Frequency upconversion of cw infrared radiation at 1.06 μm into the visible in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Ga2S3:La2O3 chalcogenide glass samples is presented. Intense green and red emission bands around 530, 555, and 670 nm, respectively, are observed in addition to near-infrared 830 and 925 nm less intense signals. Energy transfer processes and nonradiative phonon-assisted decays account for the population of the H211/2, S43/2, and F49/2 emitting levels. The dependence of the red emission with the Yb3+ concentration is also analyzed. The potential application of the Er/Yb-codoped Ga2S3:La2O3 glass for upconversion based optical devices is discussed.

Thermally induced threefold infrared-to-visible upconversion emission enhancement in Er3+/Yb3+-codoped Ga2S3:La2O3 chalcogenide glasses excited at 1.064 μm is reported. The times three upconversion efficiency enhancement was achieved by heating the sample in the temperature range of 23–155 °C, and is assigned to the temperature-dependent multiphonon-assisted anti-Stokes sideband excitation process of the ytterbium sensitizer. A theoretical analysis based upon rate equations considering the sensitizer absorption cross section as a function of the phonon occupation number in the host material exhibited very good agreement with experimental data.

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Upconversion fluorescence emission of Er3+/Yb3+-doped Bi2O3–Na2O–Nb2O5–GeO2 heavy metal glass samples excited at 1.06 μm is experimentally investigated. The results reveal the existence of intense emission bands centered around 520, 545, and 655 nm. The germano-niobate based host glass presents high transparency in the region of 400–2700 nm, the capability of incorporating high dopant concentrations, high melting temperature, and large resistance to atmospheric moisture. The observed intensity of the green fluorescence emission, suggested that the niobium based host glass material plays an important role in the efficiency of the upconversion process. Emission lines centered at 425, 483, 503, 608, and 628 nm were also observed.