Blue upconversion luminescence generation in Ce3+:Gd2SiO5 crystals by infrared femtosecond laser irradiation.

Blue frequency-upconversion fluorescence emission has been observed in Ce(3+)-doped Gd(2)SiO(5) single crystals, pumped with 120-fs 800 nm IR laser pulses. The observed fluorescence emission peaks at about 440nm is due to 5d?4f transition of Ce3+ ions. The intensity dependence of the blue fluorescence emission on the IR excitation laser power obeys the cubic law, demonstrating three-photon absorption process. Analysis suggested that three-photon simultaneous absorption induced population inversion should be the predominant frequency upconversion mechanism.