New function of the Yb^(3+) ion as an efficient emitter of persistent luminescence in the short-wave infrared

The trivalent ytterbium(Yb^(3+))ion has been extensively used as an emitter in short-wave infrared(SWIR)lasers,a sensitizer to activate other lanthanide ions for up-conversion luminescence,and a spectral converter in Ln^(3+)-Yb^(3+)doubly doped quantum cutting phosphors.Here we report a new function of the Yb^(3+)ion—as an efficient emitting center for SWIR persistent luminescence.We have developed the first real SWIR persistent phosphor,MgGeO3:Yb^(3+),which exhibits very-long persistent luminescence at around 1000 nm for longer than 100 h.The MgGeO3:Yb^(3+)phosphor is spectrally transparent to visible/near-infrared light(~400–900 nm)and is a promising ultraviolet-to-SWIR spectral convertor.The MgGeO3:Yb^(3+)phosphor also exhibits a photostimulated persistent luminescence capability,where the SWIR persistent emission in an ultraviolet-light pre-irradiated sample can be rejuvenated by low-energy light(white or red light)stimulation.The MgGeO3:Yb^(3+)phosphor is expected to have promising applications in biomedical imaging,night-vision surveillance and photovoltaics.