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We have studied the structural and near-infrared (NIR) luminescent properties of KY3F10 phosphors, singly doped with Nd3+ serving as both sensitizer and activator. With a single laser diode at the wavelength of 808 nm as a pump source, simultaneous NIR-to-NIR upconversion (UC) and down-shifting (DS) emissions are effectively achieved, due to the specific energy levels of Nd3+ dopant and the low phonon energy of the host. The luminescence mechanism related to energy transfer is discussed. The luminescence can be modulated through controlling the population of Nd3+:4F3/2 state in our experiment. Interestingly, both UC and DS emissions of the material fall within the dual biological window, suggesting that the prepared phosphors have potential applications in the bioimaging field.

The phosphors Ba3Gd(BO3)3:Ce3+ were prepared by a solid-state reaction technique at high temperature. The vacuum ultraviolet-ultraviolet and visible spectroscopic properties of the phosphors together with decay time curves are investigated and discussed. The spectroscopic properties are explained by occupancy of Ce3+ at two different Gd sites in the host lattice. The x-ray excited emission spectra of Ba3Gd(BO3)3:Ce3+ were studied and the number of photons emitted per unit of absorbed x-ray energy was calculated. The yield is rather poor and Ba3Gd(BO3)3:Ce3+ appears not a suitable x-ray phosphor.