Upconversion Between 4f-5d Excited States in Tm2+-Doped CsCaCl3, CsCaBr3, and CsCaI3

Near-infrared to visible upconversion luminescence in CsCaCl3:Tm2+, CsCaBr3:Tm2+ and CsCaI3:Tm2+ is presented and analysed. The upconversion process involves exclusively the 4f-5d excited states of Tm2+, which is a novelty among upconversion materials. The presence of more than one long-lived 4f-5d excited state is the prerequisite for this. Multiple emissions from Tm2+ are observed in the title compounds. This is made possible by the favourable energy structure within the 4f-5d states and the low phonon energies of the materials. The energy positions of the relevant 4f-5d states, and thus the photophysical and light emission properties, are affected by the chemical variation along the series. The upconversion efficiency increases from chloride to iodide and the mechanism is found to be a combination of absorption and energy-transfer steps.     

Absorption, light emission, and upconversion properties of Tm2+-doped CsCaI3 and RbCaI3

Absorption, light emission, and upconversion properties of Tm2+-doped CsCaI3 and RbCaI3 single crystals are presented and compared. Both compounds show multiple emissions after excitation at 21834 cm(-1) between 10 and 300 K. Besides sharp 4f-4f transitions around 8800 cm(-1), five and three broad 4f-5d emission bands are observed at higher energies in CsCaI3:Tm2+ and RbCaI3:Tm2+, respectively. The 4f-5d transitions are very sensitive to the crystalline environment: the onset of the 4f-5d excitations is red-shifted by about 1000 cm(-1) in RbCaI3:Tm2+ compared to CsCaI3:Tm2+. In addition, a broadening of bands is observed in the former compound. These differences are attributed to the structural changes that occur when the alkali metal is changed from Cs to Rb in these crystal lattices. An increased energy splitting of the multiplets and a red shift of the barycenter of the (4f)12(5d)1 electron configuration in RbCaI3:Tm2+ is the result. This affects not only the color of the visible emission, which turns from green in CsCaI3:Tm2+ to yellow in RbCaI3:Tm2+, but also the excited state dynamics. As a consequence, the dominant upconversion processes are different in the two compounds. Thus, the two title compounds nicely illustrate the influence of the structural environment on the optical spectroscopic properties of Tm2+.     

Light-emission and excited-state dynamics in Tm2+ doped CsCaCl3, CsCaBr3, and CsCaI3

The light-emission and photophysical properties of CsCaCl3:Tm2+ (1.04%), CsCaBr3:Tm2+ (0.48%), and CsCaI3:Tm2+ (0.76%) are presented. We find that Tm2+ is a multiple emitter under 21,834 cm-1 laser excitation at low temperatures in all three compounds. Several distinct types of emission are observed and characterized: sharp and long-lived 4f-4f emission in the infrared (IR) and up to four broad and fast decaying emission bands in the near-IR and visible, originating from the 4f-5d states of Tm2+. The optical spectroscopic properties of the samples are compared, and we find that the measured differences in the relative intensities and the shifts in the position of the emissions can be related to the chemical influence on the absorption and emission properties of Tm2+. Thus, it nicely illustrates the principle of chemical variation on the optical spectroscopic properties. An investigation of the temperature dependence of the luminescence yields important information about the dynamics of the excited states. The interplay and competition between radiative and nonradiative pathways is explained and modeled using a single configurational coordinate approach.     

Upconversion properties of Er3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses

Er3+, Yb3+ and Tm3+ codoped fluorophosphate glasses emitting blue, green and red upconversion luminescence at 970 nm laser diode excitation were studied. It was shown that Tm3+ behaves as the sensitizer to Er3+ for the green upconversion luminescence through the energy transfer process: Tm3+:3H4+Er3+:4I 15/2-->Er3+:4I 9/2+Tm3+:3H6, and for the red upconversion luminescence through the energy transfer process: Tm3+:3F4+Er3+:4I 11/2-->Tm3+:3H6+Er3+:4F 9/2. Moreover, Er3+ acts as quenching center for the blue upconversion luminescence of Tm3+. The sensitization of Tm3+ to Er3+ depends on the concentration of Yb3+. The intensity of blue, green and red emissions can be changed by adjusting the concentrations of the three kinds of rare earth ions. This research may provide useful information for the development of high color and spatial resolution devices and white light simulation.     

Tm3+/Yb3+掺杂亚碲酸盐玻璃蓝红光上转换的研究

研究了掺Tm^3 /Yb^3 亚碲酸盐玻璃室温下的上转换发光。用970nm波长的半导体激光器作为泵浦源，得到了高效率的480nm波长上转换的荧光，通过对不同掺杂浓度样品的发光比较，发现了这种玻璃上转换发光的浓度猝灭现象，找出了这种玻璃得到高效率上转换发光的适宜浓度，并对Tm^3 的浓度猝灭现象进行了分析，通过对上转换发光强度与泵浦强度关系曲线的拟合，看到这种上转换是三光子吸收过程，这与通过能级图分析得到的结果相同，另外，也对650nm波长的转换发光进行了研究。     

Intense upconversion luminescence and effect of local environment for Tm3+/Yb3+ co-doped novel TeO2-BiCl3 glass system

We present the results of a study that uses theoretical and experimental methods to investigate the characteristics of the upconversion luminescence of Tm3+/Yb3+ codoped TeO2-BiCl3 glass system as a function of the BiCl3 fraction. These glasses are potentially important in the design of upconversion fiber lasers. Effect of local environment around Tm3+ on upconversion fluorescence intensity was analyzed by theoretical calculations. The structure and spectroscopic properties were investigated in the experiments by measuring the Raman spectra, IR transmission spectra, and absorption and fluorescence intensities at room temperature. The results indicate that blue luminescence quantum efficiency increases with increasing BiCl3 content from 10 to 60 mol%, which were interpreted by the increase of asymmetry of glass structure, decrease of phonon energy and removing of OH- groups.     

Crystal absorption spectra in the region of 4f-4f and 4f-5d excitations in Tm2+-doped CsCaCl3, CsCaBr3, and CsCaI3

Low-temperature absorption spectra of single crystals of Tm2+-doped CsCaCl3, CsCaBr3, and CsCaI3 in the spectral range from 8700 to 47000 cm-1 are presented. Weak sharp-line 4f-4f absorptions around 8800 cm-1 are essentially independent of the nature of the halide. More-intense broad absorptions cover the region between 12000 and 47000 cm-1. They are assigned to 4f-5d excitations and interpreted in terms of a simple qualitative picture taking into account the most important interactions. As a result of two counterbalancing effects, the onsets of the 4f-5d spectra are almost coincident in the three materials: The blue-shift of about 3000 cm-1 between chloride and iodide resulting from the decreasing crystal field splitting of 5d is roughly balanced by the red-shift resulting from the reduced energy gap between the average energy of the 4f13 and the 4f125d1 electron configurations. The absorption helps the understanding of the most unusual light emission properties of these materials.     

Photon upconversion properties of Ni2+ in magnetic and nonmagnetic chloride host lattices

Near-infrared to visible upconversion luminescence in Ni2+:CsCdCl3, Ni2+:CsMnCl3, and Ni2+:RbMnCl3 is presented and analyzed. In all three materials upconversion occurs via a sequence of ground-state absorption/excited-state absorption processes, which are both formally spin-forbidden transitions. Consequently, in the diamagnetic Ni2+:CsCdCl3 they are weak, and the efficiency of the upconversion process is relatively low. This is in clear contrast to the isostructural Ni2+:RbMnCl3 where the spin selection rule relaxes because of Ni(2+)-Mn2+ exchange interactions, leading to an intensity enhancement of the spin-flip transitions involved in the Ni2+ upconversion mechanism. This results in an exchange-induced enhancement of the upconversion rate in Ni2+:RbMnCl3 relative to Ni2+:CsCdCl3 by 2 orders of magnitude after two-color excitation into the maxima of the ground-state and excited-state absorption bands. In Ni2+:CsMnCl3 the Ni(2+)-Mn2+ exchange interaction does not play a significant role. This is due to the different Ni(2+)-Cl(-)-Mn2+ bridging geometry relative to Ni2+:RbMnCl3. In contrast to Ni2+:CsCdCl3 and Ni2+:RbMnCl3 where the upconversion luminescence occurs from Ni2+, in Ni2+:CsMnCl3 the upconverted energy is emitted from Mn2+ in the visible spectral region. This leads to an enhanced visible upconversion luminescence in Ni2+:CsMnCl3, relative to the other two samples where Ni2+ near-infrared inter-excited-state emissions compete with the visible upconversion luminescence.     

掺铥硫氧化钇的特殊余辉性质

迄今为止,稀土长余辉磷光体已见文献或专利公开报道的激活离子主要有适于紫外光激发的三价铈离子(Ce³⁺)和三价镨离子(Pr³⁺)、适于可见光激发的铕离子(Eu³⁺和Eu²⁺)及钐离子(Sm³⁺,Sm²⁺),尚未涉及到铥离子Tm³⁺或Tm²⁺.我们在Tm³⁺离子激活的硫氧化钇体系Y₂O₂S:Tm³⁺中发现了长余辉荧光特性.特别是在该磷光体中还发现了一种非常特殊的余辉现象.     

Yb~(3 )对Tm~(3 )间接敏化与基质晶格关系

Yb3 敏化Tm3 有两种方式 ,一种是直接敏化上转换 ,另一种是间接敏化上转换。前种直接采用 980nm激光激发 ,而后者可用 80 7nm激光激发 ,无疑后者有利于提高上转换发光的量子效率。由于基质晶格的晶体场强度不同 ,对称性有高有低 ,造成的稀土离子的能级分裂不同 ,通过分析双掺BaY2 F8,Cs3Yb2 Cl9等材料的光谱资料并结合生长的双掺Yb3 ,Tm3 ∶ZnWO4 单晶光谱的实际测试与分析 ,提出了Yb3 和Tm3 间的间接敏化共振能量传输的新观点 ,并具体分析了能形成这一上转换机制的条件。与间接敏化非共振能量传输不同 ,一是Yb3 的2 F5/2 →2 F7/2 的跃迁应与Tm3 3H4 →1 G4 能级间隔尽可能接近 ;二是Yb3 激发态能级2 F5/2 与Tm3 的3H4 能级尽可能接近。这要求基质材料的晶体场场强要弱 ,对称性要低。间接敏化共振能量传输极有可能引起光子雪崩上转换 ,这将为探索实用上转换激光晶体提供有益经验。     

High-resolution optical spectroscopy of Na(3)[Ln(dpa)(3)].13H(2)O with Ln = Er(3+), Tm(3+), Yb(3+)

The title compounds were synthesized and studied by solution and single-crystal absorption, luminescence, and excitation spectroscopy. The f-f luminescence is induced in the Tm(3+) and Yb(3+) complexes in solution by exciting into the (1)Pi-(1)Pi absorptions of the ligand in the UV. A single-configurational coordinate model is proposed to rationalize the nonradiative relaxation step from ligand-centered to metal-centered excited states in [Yb(dpa)(3)](3-) (dpa = 2,6-pyridinedicarboxylate). Direct f-f excitation is used in crystals of Na(3)[Tm(dpa)(3)].13H(2)O and Na(3)[Yb(dpa)(3)].13H(2)O to induce f-f luminescence. From low-temperature, high-resolution absorption, luminescence, and excitation spectra, the ligand-field splittings in the relevant states can be determined. It was impossible to induce NIR to VIS upconversion in any of the complexes. This is mainly due to the fact that nonradiative relaxation among the f-f excited states is highly competitive, even in [Yb(dpa)(3)](3-) with an energy gap between (2)F(5/2) and (2)F(7/2) of about 10000 cm(-1). It can be rationalized on the basis of an adapted energy gap law. No luminescence at all could be detected in Na(3)[Er(dpa)(3)].13H(2)O.     

Upconversion luminescence and mechanisms of Tm(3+)/Yb(3+)-codoped oxyhalide tellurite glasses

To obtain efficient blue upconversion laser glasses, upconversion luminescence and mechanisms of Tm(3+)/Yb(3+)-codoped oxyhalide tellurite glasses were investigated under 980 nm excitation. The results showed that upconversion blue and red emission intensities of Tm(3+) first increase, reach its maximum at Tm(2)O(3)%=0.1 mol %, and then decrease with increasing Tm(2)O(3) content. The effect of Tm(2)O(3) content on upconversion intensity is discussed, and possible effect mechanisms are evaluated. The investigated results were conducing to increase upconversion luminescence efficiency of Tm(3+).     

Er3+-Tm3+-Yb3+ tri-doped CaMoO4 upconverting phosphors in optical devices applications

The structural and optical properties of the Er³⁺-Tm³⁺-Yb³⁺codoped CaMoO₄ phosphors prepared by chemical route have been explored. The crystalline structures of the prepared phosphors have been investigated with the help of X-ray diffraction analysis. The presence of different vibrational modes and absorption bands arising due to the transitions from the ground state to different excited states of rare earth ions have been identified using the Raman and UV-VIS-NIR absorption spectra of the developed phosphor, respectively. The concentration quenching effect on the luminescence property of the prepared materials has been explained in detail. The upconversion luminescence property of the Er³⁺-Tm³⁺-Yb³⁺codoped CaMoO₄ phosphor annealed at different temperatures under 980 nm and 808 nm excitations have been reported. The energy transfer Er³⁺ → Tm³⁺, Yb³⁺ → Er³⁺ and Tm³⁺ has been found to be responsible for efficient UC emission. The dipole-dipole interaction is observed to be responsible for the concentration quenching of the luminescence intensity. The effect of annealing temperature on the upconversion luminescence property has been explained in detail. The results suggest that the developed tri-doped phosphor may be suitable in making the efficient NIR to visible upconverter and lighting based optical devices.     

Upconversion Luminescence in Mononuclear Yb/Sm Co-crystal Assemblies at Room Temperature

Metal-based upconversion luminescence transforming high-energy photons into low-energy photons is an attractive anti-Stokes shift process for fundamental research and promising applications. In this work, we developed the upconversion luminescence in co-crystal assemblies consisting of discrete mononuclear Yb and Sm complexes. The characteristic visible emissions of Sm³⁺ were observed under the excitation of absorption band of Yb³⁺ at 980 nm. A series of co-crystal assemblies were investigated based on mononuclear Yb and Sm complexes, and the strongest luminescence was obtained when the molar concentration between Yb³⁺ and Sm³⁺ is equivalent. The crystal structure was fully characterized by the single crystal X-ray diffraction and upconverting energy transfer mechanisms were verified as cooperative sensitization upconversion and energy transfer upconversion. This is the first example of Sm³⁺-based upconverting luminescence in discrete lanthanide complexes which present as co-crystal assemblies at room temperature.     

Upconversion multicolor fine-tuning: visible to near-infrared emission from lanthanide-doped NaYF4 nanoparticles

A general approach to fine-tuning the upconversion emission colors, based upon a single host source of NaYF4 nanoparticles doped with Yb3+, Tm3+, and Er3+, is presented. The emission intensity balance can be precisely controlled using different host-activator systems and dopant concentrations. The approach allows access to a wide range of luminescence emission from visible to near-infrared by single-wavelength excitation.     

Luminescence and upconversion from thulium(iii) species in solution

Thulium salts and complexes are shown to be emissive from three states in the excited state manifold of Tm(3+). Formation of the (1)D(2) state can result in luminescence, or in energy transfer to the lower energy (1)G(4) and (3)H(4) emissive states. Where chromophores are present in the ligand structure, emission is restricted to thulium centred emissive states that are lower in energy than the chromophore centred donor state. We have also observed direct multi-photon excitation of the thulium excited state manifold. Furthermore, additional transitions are observed in the multi-photon excitation spectra that are consistent with upconversion as a consequence of sequential single photon absorption and relaxation processes within the thulium excited state manifold.     

Upconversion Luminescence of SrTiO3:Er3+ Ultrafine Powders Produced by 785 nm Laser

Er3+ doped SrTiO3 ultrafine powders were prepared by solid state reaction in a molten NaCl flux. The structural properties were characterized by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The Stokes emission spectra of Er3+ in SrTiO3:Er3+ ranging from green to near infrared region were investigated under 514.5 nm laser excitation. The green and redupconverted luminescence spectra of Er3+ were measured under excitation into the 4I9=2 level by 785 nm laser. The upconversion mechanisms were studied in detail through laser power dependence and Er3+ ion concentration dependence of upconverted emissions, and results show that excited state absorption and energy transfer process are the possible mechanisms for the upconversion. The upconversion properties indicate that SrTiO3:Er3+ may be used in upconversion phosphors.     

NaGd（WO4）2:Yb3+,Tm3+纳米粉的制备与上转换发光性能

以聚乙二醇为络合剂,采用水热法成功制备了NaGd(WO4)2:Yb3+,Tm3+纳米粉。运用X射线粉末衍射、扫描电镜和光谱分析对制备的样品结构和发光性能进行了表征。结果表明,NaGd(WO4)2:Yb3+,Tm3+为四方晶系,晶粒尺寸约为50 nm。在980 nm半导体激光器激发下获得了发射光谱,有3个发射峰,发光中心位于455,476和650 nm,分别对应1D2→3F4,1G4→3H6,1G4→3F4的跃迁。讨论了Yb3+,Tm3+能量转换过程和机制。泵浦功率与发光强度关系表明,455,476和650 nm的3个发射均属于三光子过程。     

Rhenium(I) tricarbonyl polypyridine complexes showing strong absorption of visible light and long-lived triplet excited states as a triplet photosensitizer for triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion

The preparation of rhenium(I) tricarbonyl polypyridine complexes that show a strong absorption of visible light and long-lived triplet excited state and the application of these complexes as triplet photosensitizers for triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) based upconversion are reported. Imidazole-fused phenanthroline was used as the N^N coordination ligand, on which different aryl groups were attached (Phenyl, Re-0; Coumarin, Re-1 and naphthyl, Re-2). Re-1 shows strong absorption of visible light (ε = 60,800 M(-1) cm(-1) at 473 nm). Both Re-1 and Re-2 show long-lived T(1) states (lifetime, τ(T), is up to 86.0 μs and 64.0 μs, respectively). These properties are in contrast to the weak absorption of visible light and short-lived triplet excited states of the normal rhenium(I) tricarbonyl polypyridine complexes, such as Re-0 (ε = 5100 M(-1) cm(-1) at 439 nm, τ(T) = 2.2 μs). The photophysical properties of the complexes were fully studied with steady state and time-resolved absorption and emission spectroscopes, as well as DFT calculations. The intra-ligand triplet excited state is proposed to be responsible for the exceptionally long-lived T(1) states of Re-1 and Re-2. The Re(I) complexes were used as triplet photosensitizers for TTA based upconversion and an upconversion quantum yield up to 17.0% was observed.     

Cooperative near-IR to visible photon upconversion in Yb3+-doped MnCl2 and MnBr2: comparison with a series of Yb3+-doped Mn2+ halides

Yb3+-doped MnCl2 and MnBr2 crystals exhibit strong red upconversion luminescence under near-infrared excitation around 10 000 cm(-1) at temperatures below 100 K. The broad red luminescence band is centred around 15 200 cm(-1) for both compounds and identified as the Mn2+ 4T1g-->6A1g transition. Excitation with 10 ns pulses indicates that the upconversion process consists of a sequence of ground-state and excited-state absorption steps. The experimental VIS/NIR photon ratio at 12 K for an excitation power of 191 mW focused on the sample with a 53 mm lens is 4.1% for MnCl2:Yb3+ and 1.2% for MnBr2:Yb3+. An upconversion mechanism based on exchange coupled Yb3+-Mn2+ ions is proposed. Similar upconversion properties have been reported for RbMnCl3:Yb3+, CsMnCl3:Yb3+, CsMnBr3:Yb3+, RbMnBr3:Yb3+, Rb2MnCl4:Yb3+. The efficiency of the upconversion process in these compounds is strongly dependent on the connectivity between the Yb3+ and Mn2+ ions. The VIS/NIR photon ratio decreases by three orders of magnitude along the series of corner-sharing Yb3+-Cl--Mn2+, edge-sharing Yb3+-(Cl-)2-Mn2+ to face-sharing Yb3+-(Br-)3-Mn2+ bridging geometry. This trend is discussed in terms of the dependence of the relevant super-exchange pathways on the Yb(3+)-Mn2+ bridging geometry.