UV and visible upconversion luminescence in Er^3＋：YAG under red laser excitation

This paper reports that the ultraviolet and visible upconversion luminescence from the ^4S3/2, ^2G9/2 and ^2P3/2 levels have been observed in Er^3＋：YAG following 647.2 nm excitation of the ^4F9/2 multiple. Upconversion luminescence intensity dependence on pump power was recorded. The measured decay profiles were theoretically fitted by kinetics theory and the basically good agreements were achieved. The results indicate that some energy transfer processes proposed to explain the observed upconversion phenomena are reasonable.

Upconversion luminescence of Y_2O_3:Er^(3+), Yb^(3+) nanoparticles prepared by a homogeneous precipitation method

Y2O3： Er^3＋, Yb^3＋ nanoparticles were synthesized by a homogeneous precipitation method without and with different concentrations of EDTA 2Na. Upconversion luminescence spectra of the samples were studied under 980 nm laser excitation. The results of XRD showed that the obtained Y2O3：Er^3＋,Yb^3＋ nanoparticles were of a cubic structure. The average crystallite sizes calculated were in the range of 28-40 nm. Green and red upconversion emission were observed, and attributed to ^2H11/2,^4S3/2→^4I15/2 and ^4F9/2→^4I15/2 transitions of the ion, respectively. The ratio of the intensity of green emission to that of red emission drastically changed with a change in the EDTA 2Na concentration. In the sample synthesized without EDTA, the relative intensity of the green emission was weaker than that of the red emission. The relative intensities of green emission increased with the increased amount of EDTA 2Na used. The possible upconversion luminescence mechanisms were discussed.

Synthesis and upconversion luminescence properties of NaYF_4:Yb^(3+)/Er^(3+) microspheres

Cubic NaYF4：Yb^3＋（20%）/Er^3＋（1%） microspheres were synthesized by EDTA-assisted hydrothermal method. Under 980 nm excitation, ultraviolet （^4G11/2→^4I15/2）, violet （^2H9/2→^4I15/2）, green （^4F7/2→^4I15/2, 2H11/2→^4I15/2, and ^4S3/2→^4I15/2）, and red （^4F9/2→^4I15/2） upconversion fluorescence were observed. The number of laser photons absorbed in one upconversion excitation process, n, was determined to be 3.89, 1.61, 2.55, and 1.09 for the ultraviolet, violet, green, and red emissions, respectively. Obviously, n=3.89 indicated that a four-photon process was involved in populating the ^4G11/2 state, and n=2.55 indicated that a three-photon process was involved in populating the ^4F7/2/^2H11/2/^4S3/2 levels. For the violet and red emissions, the population of the states ^2H9/2 and ^4F9/2 separately came from three-photon and two-photon processes. The decrease of n was well explained by the mechanism of competition between linear decay and upconversion processes for the depletion of the intermediate excited states.

Synthesis and Upconversion Luminescence of LaF_3:Yb^(3+),Er^(3+)/SiO_2 Core/Shell Microcrystals

LaF3：Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ microcrystals were synthesized by a hydrothermal method, and then, the LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ microcrystals were coated with silica. Phase identification of LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ and LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋/SiO2 was performed via XRD. The TEM image showed that the size of LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ was 150 nm and LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋/SiO2 presented clearly a core/shell structure with 20 nm shell thickness. The upconversion spectra of LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ and LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋/SiO2 in solid state and in ethanol were studied with a 980 nm diode laser as the excitation source. The upconversion spectra showed that the silica shell had little effect on the properties of fluorescence of the LaF3：Yb^3＋ , Er^＋ microcrystals. At the same time, the green luminescence photo of LaF3： Yb3＋, Er3＋/SiO2 in the PBS buffer was obtained, which indicated that the LaF3： Yb^3＋ , Er^＋/SiO2 could be used in biological applications.

Preparation and Upconversion Luminescence of Y_3Al_5O_(12):Yb^(3+),Er^(3+)Transparent Ceramics

YAG： 1% （atom fraction） Yb^3＋ , 0.5% （atom fraction） Er3＋ transparent ceramics were fabricated by the solid state reaction method using high-purity Y2O3, Al2O3, Yb2O3, and Er2O3 powders as starting materials. The mixed powder compact was sintered at 1760 ℃ for 6 h in vacuum and annealed at 1500 ℃ for 10 h in an air atmosphere. The ceramics consisted of about 10μm grains and exhibited a pore-free structure. The optical transmittance of the ceramics at 1064 nm was nearly 80%. Upconversion emissions were investigated on the ceramics pumped by a 980 nm continuous wave diode laser, and strong green emission centered at 523 and 559 nm and red emission centered at 669 nm were observed, which originated from the radiative transitions of ^2H11/2→^4I15/2, ^4S3/2→^4I15/2, and ^4F9/2→^4I15/2 of Er^3＋ ions, respectively.

Synthesis of colloidal LaF_3: 0.04Yb^(3+), 0.01Er^(3+) nanocrystals with green upconversion luminescence

A synthesis of LaF3：0.04Yb^3＋,0.01Er^3＋ nanocrystals with oleic acid as a capping ligand was presemed. The X-Ray Diffraction （XRD） pattern indicated that the power was a single hexagonal phase. Transmission Electron Microscopy （TEM） demonstrated that the average size of the nanocrystals was less than 10 nm, with a narrow size distribution. The nanocrystals were dispersible in nonpolar solvents and form a fully transparent colloidal solution, and the solution was stable for several months without any aggregates. The Yb^3＋-Er^3＋ codoped nanocrystal colloidal solution exhibited a bright green upconversion fluorescence under 980 nm excitation from a diode laser. The nanocrystals were potentially applicable in biolabeling and bioimaging.

Laser-diode excited intense upconversion luminescence of Er^3＋ in bismuth-lead-germanate glasses

We have investigated infrared-to-visible upconversion luminescence of Er^3＋ in bismuth-lead-germanate glasses. The UV cutoff wavelength is shortened while its lifetime is increased almost linearly, with PbF2 substituting for PbO in the bismuth-lead germanate glasses. Three emissions centred at around 529, 545 and 657 nm are clearly observed, which are identified as originating from the ^2H11/2→^4 I15/2,^4S3/2→^4 I15/2 and ^4 F9/2 →^4 I15/2 transitions, respectively. It is noted that all the upconversion emission intensities increase with PbF2 concentration increasing. The ratio between the intensities of red and green emissions increases with the increasing of PbF2 content. Energy transfer processes and nonradiative phonon-assisted decays account for the populations of the ^2 H11/2,^4 S3/2 and ^4F 9/2 levels. The quadratic dependence of fluorescence on excitation laser power confirms a two-photon process to contribute to the upconversion emissions.

Ultraviolet and visible upconversion dynamics in Er^3＋：YAlO3 under ^2H11/2 excitation

The luminescence of Er^3＋：YAlO3 in ultraviolet visible and infrared ranges under the 518 nm excitation of the multiples ^2H11/2 have been investigated. Ultraviolet （275 nm and 318 nm）, violet （405 nm and 413 nm） and blue （474 nm） upconversion and infrared downconversion luminescence has been observed. By means of measuring the fluorescence decay curves and using the theory of rate equations, the luminescence kinetics was studied in detail and the processes of energy transfer upconversion （ETU） and excitation state absorption （ESA） were proposed to explain the upconversion phenomena.

Upconversion luminescence and temperature sensing performance of Er^(3+) ions doped self-activated KYb(MoO_(4))_(2) phosphors

In this work,a series of self-activated KYb(MoO_(4))_(2) phosphors with various x at% Er^(3+) doping concentrations(x=0.5,1,3,5,8,10,15) was synthesized by the solid-state reaction method.The phase structure of the as-prepared samples was analyzed by X-ray diffraction(XRD),XRD Rietveld refinement and Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR) spectroscopy.The as-prepared samples retain the orthorhombic structure with space group of Pbcn even Er^(3+) doping concentration up to 15 at%.High-purity upconversion(UC) green emission with green to red intensity ratio of 55 is observed from the as-prepared samples upon the excitation of 980 nm semiconductor laser and the optimum doping concentration of Er^(3+) ions in the self-activated KYb(MoO_(4))_(2) host is revealed as 3 at%.The strong green UC emission is confirmed as a two-photon process based on the power-dependent UC spectra.In addition,the fluorescence intensity ratios(FIRs) of the two thermally-coupled energy levels,namely ^(2)H_(11/2) and ^(4)S_(3/2).of Er^(3+) ions were investigated in the temperature region 300-570 K to evaluate the optical temperature sensor behavior of the sample.The maximum relative sensitivity(S_(R)) is determined to be 0.0069 K^(-1) at300 K and the absolute sensitivity(S_(A)) is determined to be 0.0126 K^(-1) at 300 K.The S_(A) of self-activated KYb(MoO_(4))2:Er^(3+)is almost twice that of traditional KY(MoO_(4))2:Er^(3+)/Yb^(3+)codoping phosphor.The results demonstrate that Er^(3+) ions doped self-activated KYb(MoO_(4))2 phosphor has promising application in visible display,trademark security and optical temperature sensors.

Structure Property and Visible Upconversion of Er^(3+) Doped Gd_2O_3 Nanocrystals

Gd_2O_3∶Er nanoparticles were prepared by a simple sol-gel method. The structure properties of Gd_2O_3∶Er were studied by X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The visible up-converted luminescence spectra of Er^(3+) were investigated under excitation to (()~4I_(9/2)) level by 785 nm laser. Laser power, Er^(3+) ion concentration and temperature dependences of the upconverted emissions were investigated to understand the upconversion mechanisms. Excited state absorption and energy transfer process are discussed as the possible mechanisms for the upconversion.

Broadband Cr^(3+)-sensitized upconversion luminescence of LiScSi_(2)O_(6):Cr^(3+)/Er^(3+)

Broadband sensitization is an effective strategy to enhance the upconversion luminescence(UCL) of lanthanide ions.Herein,novel UC materials LiScSi_(2)O_(6):Cr^(3+)/Er^(3+)(LSS:Cr^(3+)/Er^(3+)) were synthesized by high-temperature solid state reaction and their luminescent properties were investigated.LSS:Cr^(3+)/Er^(3+)has the broadband absorption in the spectral range of 600-800 nm,and meanwhile shows green UC emissions of Er^(3+)upon pumping Cr^(3+) by the 690 nm laser.The UCL of LSS:Cr^(3+)/Er^(3+)belongs to the twophoton process and is attributed to the energy transfer upconversion mechanism.The effects of the Cr^(3+)and Er^(3+)concentration as well as the Yb^(3+)introduction were also studied.LSS:Cr^(3+)/Yb^(3+)/Er^(3+) exhibits the interesting dual-mode UCL,capable of generating the UCL of Cr^(3+) upon pumping Yb^(3+)ions and the UCL of upon pumping Cr^(3+) ions.This research might promote the development of novel broadband Cr^(3+)-sensitized UC materials.

Upconversion photoluminescence properties of SrY_2O_4:Er^(3+),Yb^(3+) under 1550 and 980 nm excitation

Er^3＋/Yb^3＋ co-doped SrY2O4 phosphors with high color purity and brightness were successfully synthesized via a solid-state reaction method.Luminescence spectrum studies showed that the main red peaks and the minor green peaks of upconversion emissions were located at approximately 634–681 nm and 543–570 nm,respectively,corresponding to the transitions of ~4F（9/2）→~4I（15/2） and ~4S（3/2）→~4I（15/2） of Er^3＋ ions.Under the excitation of 980 and 1550 nm lasers,the spectra of all of the samples exhibited similar peak positions but different intensities.When excited by the 980 nm laser,the intensity ratio of red to green emission increased with increasing Yb^3＋ doping concentration and decreased with increasing excitation power.In the case of 1550 nm excitation,the intensity ratio of red to green emission increased with increasing Yb^3＋ doping concentration and excitation power,thereby,improving the color purity of the red emission.The intensity of red emission was considerably stronger under 1550 nm excitation than that under 980 nm excitation.Therefore,the color of the proposed phosphors could be efficiently tuned by tailoring both the Yb^3＋ doping concentration and excitation power.

Kinetics of Fluorescence Decay in Er^(3+)∶YAG under 408.6 nm Excitation

The violet and green fluorescence spectra and the kinetics of fluorescence decay in Er^3＋ ：YAG crystal under 408.6 nm excitation were investigated by the time-resolved laser-induced fluorescence technique. The influence of multiphonon and energy transfer on the fluorescence decay of the ^4S3/2 rnultiplet were theoretically analyzed. A good agreement of the measured and the simulated decay curves was achieved. The continuous profile variety of the decay curves in the region from 548 to 561.2 nrn is found and it originates from the fluorescence overlap of ^2G9/2 and ^4S3/2 and the intensity ratio dominates the profile.

Stark splitting of intense red emission for Er^(3+)in O_(h) symmetry sites realizing optical temperature sensing in biological applications

Optical temperature sensing based on the fluorescence intensity ratio(FIR)of red emission for lanthanide ions holds significant relevance in non-contact temperature measurement for biological application.In this study,the perovskite-structured KZnF_(3)is utilized as a host material for Er^(3+)to achieve a high-purity upconversion(UC)red emission.The observed Stark splitting of the red emission peak provides evidence of the energy level splitting of Er^(3+).Group theory is employed to decompose the spectral branching of Er^(3+)under the point group symmetry of KZnF_(3),allowing for the derivation of Stark splitting energy levels induced by the crystal field effect.The optical temperature-sensing behavior of the red UC luminescence was investigated,specifically examining the FIR of the splitting sub-peaks,which exhibited an exponential relationship with temperature.The KZnF_(3):Yb^(3+),Er^(3+)demonstrated a relative sensitivity(S_(r))of 0.00182%·K^(-1)at 298 K,highlighting its excellent response to temperature.Ex vivo bio-thermometry experiments conducted on chicken breast validated the material's ability to penetrate biological tissues and showed its significant sensitivity of the FIR to temperature.These results establish KZnF_(3):Yb^(3+),Er^(3+)as a promising material for optical thermometry in various biological applications.

980nm激发下Tm^(3＋)诱导的Gd^(3＋)上转换发光性质研究

通过简单温和水热法,制备了系列Tm3+/Yb3+共掺GdF3粉末。用X射线衍射仪和场发射扫描电镜对样品进行了结构和形貌表征。在980 nm半导体连续激光二极管激发下,用荧光光谱仪对氩气保护下退火后的粉末样品进行了上转换发射光谱表征。粉末上转换发光动力学过程是在脉冲(脉宽10 ns,重复频率10 Hz)YAG∶Nd激光器激发光参量振荡器至980 nm激发下研究的,发光信号由单色仪和示波器记录。文章主要讨论了Gd3+的311.6 nm(6P7/2→8S7/2)的发光动力学行为。发光动力学分析结果表明:在980 nm激发下,Gd3+,作为一种基质离子,其发光是由Yb3+作为一级敏化离子通过多步能量传递把能量传递给Tm3+使其布居至3P2能级;然后Tm3+作为二级敏化离子通过能量传递过程3P2→3H6(Tm3+):8S7/2→6IJ(Gd3+)把能量传给Gd3+;进一步,Gd3+与Yb3+或Tm3+之间通过能量传递过程布居至高激发多重态6DJ能级;最后,可观察到Gd3+的激发态6D9/2,6IJ,6P5/2及6P7/2至基态8S7/2的发射。同时,Tm3+在其自身发光过程中也充当激活剂,除了3P2及1I6至3H6的发射外,其他发射不作研究。文章还研究了基质Gd3+依赖于Yb3+浓度、Tm3+浓度、退火温度及激发功率密度的紫外上转换发光性质。

Synthesis and characterization of NaYF4:Yb3+,Er3+@silica-N=folic acid nanocomplex for bioimaginable detecting MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Upconversion nanophosphors are new promising nanomaterials to be used as biolabels for detection and imaging of cancer cells.These nanophosphors absorb long-wavelength excitation radiation in the infrared or near infrared region and emit shorter wavelength,higher energy radiation from ultraviolet to infrared.In this paper,we studied the hydrothermal method and optical properties of the functionalized NaYF4:Yb^3+,Er^3+for biomedical application.After synthesis,these NaYF4:Yb^3+,Er^3+nanophosphors were functionalized with aminosilanes and folic acid.Folic acid binds to the folate receptor on the surface of MCF-7 breast cancer cells and this binding promotes internalization of the nanophosphors via endocytosis.The sizes of the functionalized NaYF4:Yb^3+,Er^3+@silica-N=FA(folic acid)nanophosphors can be controlled with length of the rod about 300-800 nm and diameter of the rod about 100-200 nm.Phase structure of NaYF4:Yb^3+,Er^3+is in hexagonal crystal system.The photo luminescence(PL)spectra of the functionalized NaYF4:Yb^3+,Er^3+@silica-N=FA nanophosphors were measured.These nanophosphors emit in red color with the strongest band at 650 nm under 980 nm excitation.This result can provide NaYF4:Er^3+,Yb^3+@silica-N=FA complex for developing fluorescence label and image tool in cancer biology and medicine.