Volume and surface effects on two-photonic and three-photonic processes in dry co-doped upconversion nanocrystals

Despite considerable advances in synthesizing high-quality core/shell upconversion(UC)nanocrystals(NC;UCNC)and UCNC photophysics,the application of near-infrared(NIR)-excitable lanthanide-doped UCNC in the life and material sciences is still hampered by the relatively low upconversion luminescence(UCL)of UCNC of small size or thin protecting shell.To obtain deeper insights into energy transfer and surface quenching processes involving Yb^(3+) and Er^(3+) ions,we examined energy loss processes in differently sized solid core NaYF_(4) nanocrystals doped with either Yb^(3+)(YbNC;20%Yb^(3+))or Er^(3+)(ErNC;2%Er^(3+))and co-doped with Yb^(3+) and Er^(3+)(YbErNC;20%Yb^(3+) and 2%Er^(3+))without a surface protection shell and coated with a thin and a thick NaYF_(4) shell in comparison to single and co-doped bulk materials.Luminescence studies at 375 nm excitation demonstrate back-energy transfer(BET)from the ^(4)G_(11/2) state of Er^(3+) to the ^(2)F_(5/2) state of Yb^(3+),through which the red Er^(3+) ^(4)F_(9/2) state is efficiently populated.Excitation power density(P)-dependent steady state and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements at different excitation and emission wavelengths enable to separate surface-related and volume-related effects for two-photonic and three-photonic processes involved in UCL and indicate a different influence of surface passivation on the green and red Er3+emission.The intensity and lifetime of the latter respond particularly to an increase in volume of the active UCNC core.We provide a three-dimensional random walk model to describe these effects that can be used in the future to predict the UCL behavior of UCNC.

Research and developments of laser assisted methods for translation into clinical application

Biophotonics and laser medicine are very dynamic and continuously increasing fields ecologically as well as economically. Direct communication with medical doctors is necessary to identify specific requests and unmet needs. Information on innovative, new or renewed techniques is necessary to design medical devices for introduction into clinical application and finally to become established after positive clinical trials as well as medical approval. The long-term endurance in developing light based innovative clinical concepts and devices are described based on the Munich experience. Fluorescence technologies for laboratory medicine to improve non- invasive diagnosis or for online monitoring are described according with new approaches in improving photody- namic therapeutic aspects related to immunology. Regard- ing clinically related thermal laser applications, the introduction of new laser wavelengths and laser parameters showed potential in the treatment of varicose veins as well as in lithotripsy. Such directly linked research and development are possible when researchers and medical doctors perform their daily work in immediate vicinity, thus have the possibility to share their ideas in meetings by day.