Avidin conjugation to up-conversion phosphor NaYF4:Yb3+, Er3+ by the oxidation of the oligosaccharide chains

NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanoparticles were successfully prepared by a polyol process using diethyleneglycol (DEG) as solvent. After being functionalized with SiO₂–NH₂ layer, these NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanoparticles can conjugate with activated avidin molecules (activated by the oxidation of the oligosaccharide chain). The as-formed NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanoparticles, NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanoparticles functionalized with amino groups, avidin conjugated amino-functionalized NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanoparticles were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), UV/Vis absorption spectra, and up-conversion luminescence spectra, respectively. The biofunctionalization of the NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanoparticles has less effect on their luminescence properties, i.e., they still show the up-conversion emission (from Er³⁺, with ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 at ~540 nm and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 at ~653 nm), indicative of the great potential for these NaYF₄:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanoparticles to be used as fluorescence probes for biological system.     

Infrared, visible and upconversion emission of CaAl12O19 powders doped with Er3+, Yb3+ and Mg2+ ions

CaAl₁₂O₁₉ powders doped with Er³⁺, Yb³⁺, and Mg²⁺ ions have been prepared by a low-temperature combustion synthesis technique. Formation and chemical compositions were analysed by powder X-ray diffraction and energy-dispersive spectroscopy. The visible luminescence spectra of the doped phosphor upon excitation with ∼378 nm radiation from a Xenon lamp have been studied. A broad band emission in the range of 1400–1700 nm with a peak around 1.5 μm and FWHM of about ∼80 nm responsible for the eye-safe telecommunication window has been observed upon direct excitation with a NIR laser into the ⁴I_11/2 level of Er³⁺. The effect of co-doping with Yb³⁺ and Mg²⁺ ions in the CaAl₁₂O₁₉:Er³⁺ matrix on the photoluminescence intensity corresponding to the ²H_11/2,⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺ is elaborated and discussed in detail.     

Enhancement of upconversion intensity in Er3+ doped tellurite glass in presence of Yb3+

TeO₂–PbO glasses doped/codoped with Er³⁺/Er³⁺-Yb³⁺ ions have been fabricated by melting and quenching method. Efficient frequency upconversion emissions spanning from blue to red regions corresponding to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions, respectively, upon excitation with 976 nm diode laser radiation have been observed. The variations observed in the intensity of whole upconversion emission spectra due to the presence of the Yb³⁺ ions are reported and discussed in detail.     

Luminescence of transparent glass ceramics containing Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> zirconate-titanate nanocrystals

Luminescence regularities have been studied in new erbium/ytterbium materials based on glasses and glass ceramics of a magnesium-aluminosilicate system containing nanoscale erbium/ytterbium zirconate titanate crystals with the pyrochlore structure. Lifetimes of Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in the ² F_5/2 state and in the ⁴I_11/2 and ⁴I_13/2 states, respectively, and the efficiency of Yb³⁺ → Er³⁺ energy transfer have been evaluated. The identified spectral-luminescent characteristics of the studied glasses and glass ceramics co-doped with erbium and ytterbium ions show that these materials are promising media for producing laser generation in the spectral range around 1.5 μm.     

Up-conversion emissions of Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> codoped Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> nanoparticles by the arc discharge synthesis method

The Er³⁺-Yb³⁺ codoped Al₂O₃ nanoparticles with an average particle size of about 50 nm have been synthesized by an arc discharge synthesis method. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 526, 547 and 677 nm, corresponding respectively to the ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978-nm semiconductor laser diode excitation. The Annealing has evident effect on the up-conversion emissions of the samples: The red up-conversion emission is noticeable before annealing; however, the green up-conversion emission becomes predominant after annealing. The mixture of (Er,Yb)₃Al₅O₁₂ and α-(Al,Er,Yb)₂O₃ phases is more favorable for green up-conversion emissions due to an enhancement of the ESA (I) of ⁴I_11/2+a photon→⁴F_7/2 and ET (III) of ²F_5/2(Yb³⁺)+⁴I_11/2(Er³⁺)→²F_7/2(Yb³⁺)+⁴F_7/2(Er³⁺) processes. The two-photon absorption up-conversion process is involved in the green and red up-conversion emissions. The results have proved that arc discharge synthesis is a new promising preparation technology for optical materials. Supported by National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 10804015), the Scientific Research Foundation for Doctor of Liaoning Province (Grant No. 20071095), and the Educational Committee Foundation of Liaoning Province (Grant No. 2008123)     

Dynamics of the Yb3+ to Er3+ energy transfer in LiNbO3

The energy transfer dynamics between Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in lithium niobate is investigated after ytterbium-pulsed excitation at 920 nm. The sensitisation of the LiNbO₃:Er³⁺ system with Yb³⁺ ions does not modify the lifetime of the ⁴I_13/2 erbium level (1.5-μm emission), whereas it induces a marked, concentration-dependent change in the lifetime of the ²F_5/2 (Yb³⁺) and ⁴S_3/2 (Er³⁺) multiplets (1060-nm and 550-nm emissions, respectively). The results are analysed by using the rate-equation formalism and cross-relaxation model for the energy transfer. Received: 15 October 1998 / Revised version: 24 November 1998 / Published online: 24 February 1999     

Defect Structure and Up-conversion Luminescence Properties of ZrO<Subscript>2</Subscript>:Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript>,Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript> Nanomaterials

The up-converting ZrO₂:Yb³⁺,Er³⁺ nanomaterials were prepared with the combustion and sol–gel methods. FT-IR spectroscopy was used for analyzing the impurities. The crystal structures were characterized with X-ray powder diffraction and the mean crystallite sizes were estimated with the Scherrer formula. Up-conversion luminescence measurements were made at room temperature with IR-laser excitation at 977 nm. The IR spectra revealed the conventional and OH⁻ impurities for the combustion synthesis products. The structure of the ZrO₂:Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ nanomaterials was cubic except for the minor monoclinic and tetragonal impurities obtained with the sol–gel method. The materials showed red (650–700 nm) and green (520–560 nm) up-conversion luminescence due to the ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and (²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2)→⁴I_15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, respectively. The products obtained with the combustion synthesis exhibited the most intense luminescence intensity and showed considerable afterglow.     

Yb3+敏化的Er3+/Ho3+共掺碲酸盐玻璃的上转换发光研究

用高温熔融法制备了系列Er³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺，Ho³⁺/Yb³⁺共掺，和Er³⁺/Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺三掺碲酸盐玻璃，在975nm激光抽运下三种掺杂玻璃中都出现了较强的绿光和红光上转换.研究了Yb³⁺离子对Er³⁺和Ho³⁺离子上转换发光强度的影响以及Yb³⁺→Er关键词： 3+/Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺共掺')" href="#">Er³⁺/Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺共掺 碲酸盐玻璃 光谱性质 上转换     

Visible up-conversion and NIR luminescence studies of LiAl<Subscript>5</Subscript>O<Subscript>8</Subscript>:Er phosphor co-doped with Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript>

The frequency up-conversion, an efficient laser emission and amplification in Er³⁺:LiAl₅O₈ phosphors co-doped with Yb³⁺ and Zn²⁺ phosphor powders in the 520–560, 640–680 nm regions and at ∼1.5 μm, respectively, have been reported. The emission corresponds to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions upon direct excitation into the intermediated ⁴I_11/2 level using ∼980 nm radiation from a CW laser. Possible mechanisms involved for the up-conversion processes based on the energy level matching scheme, the pump-power dependence and the dynamical behaviour have been discussed. The effect of the addition of Yb³⁺ and Zn²⁺ for the amplification in the 1.5 μm eye-safe telecommunication window has been elaborated and characterized in detail.     

Nd3+ → Yb3+ energy transfer in a codoped metaphosphate glass as a model for Yb3+ laser operation around 980 nm

A complete spectroscopic investigation of a metaphosphate glass with composition Pb(PO₃)₂ doped with various amounts of Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺ (1 up to 10 at.%) is reported. Efficient Nd³⁺ → Yb³⁺ energy transfers occur both radiatively and non-radiatively, the latter being dominant and partly resonant and partly phonon-assisted by phonons of the order of 950 cm⁻¹, which fits well with the reported Raman spectrum of the material. These transfers mainly concern the ⁴F_3/2 → ⁴I_9/2 emission and the ²F_7/2 → ²F_5/2 absorption transitions of the Nd³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions around 900 nm, respectively. They are analysed both via spectral and temporal data. The results show that about 5% Nd³⁺ and 5% Yb³⁺ ions have to be incorporated to reach energy transfers exceeding about 65%, which is in agreement with data recently reported in the case of a YAl₃(BO₃)₄ crystal. Simulations based on the obtained data show that laser thresholds of a few tens of mW should be easily attainable by operating the materials in a channel waveguide configuration.     

Visible upconversion and infrared luminescence investigations of Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> powders doped with Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>, Yb<Superscript>3+</Superscript> and Zn<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions

Alumina (Al₂O₃) powders doped with Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions have been prepared by a low-temperature combustion synthesis technique. The phase purity and crystalline structure of the combustion products are confirmed by powder X-ray diffraction. An efficient frequency upconversion in the visible region and the emission in the infrared (IR) region respectively corresponding to the ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴I_13/2→⁴I_15/2 transitions upon direct excitation with a CW laser lasing at ∼980 nm are discussed. The enhancement observed in the intensity of the upconversion emission bands in the visible region and the emission band in the IR region due to the presence of Yb³⁺ and Zn²⁺ in Er³⁺:Al₂O₃ powders is reported and explained in detail.     

The fluorescence properties of Yb3+ and Er3+ Co-doped YAl3(BO3)4 powders prepared by sol-gel method

Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ co-doped YAB powders were prepared by sol-gel method. The structure and fluorescence properties were investigated. XRD pattern indicated that the single phase was obtained at 1150°C and the structure belonged to rhombohedral. Under 379 nm excitation, two emissions around 983 nm and 1531 nm were observed and the effect of Yb³⁺ ion concentration on the emission intensity was discussed. The energy transfer was observed under 930 nm excitation and the energy transfer efficiencies for all samples were calculated. The lifetimes of ² F _5/2 level of Yb³⁺ ion and ⁴ I _13/2 level of Er³⁺ ion were measured and the effect of Yb³⁺ ion concentration on the lifetime was also discussed. The results indicated that there was an additional mechanism for the decay of ⁴ I _13/2 level in powder samples. The Yb³⁺ and Er³⁺ co-doped YAB powders should be a potential candidate for ceramic laser materials.     

共沉淀法制备Y2SiO5∶Er3+ ,Yb3+ ,Tm3+及其上转换发光性能研究

采用化学共沉淀法制备了系列Y_1.98-2xYb_2x Er_0.02SiO₅(0.00≤x≤0.15)以及Y_1.736Yb_0.24Er_0.02Tm_0.004SiO₅上转换发光材料,比较了室温下Y_1.98-2xYb_2x Er_0.02 SiO₅ (x=0.00,0.08)样品在400—1600 nm范围内的吸收光谱,测量了所有样品在976 nm OPO激光器激发下的上转换发射光谱,以及Er³⁺离子⁴S_3/2(⁴F_9/2)→⁴I_15/2,Tm³⁺离子¹G₄→³H₆荧光衰减曲线和不同激发功率下的上转换蓝光发射强度,从而分析讨论了Er³⁺,Tm³⁺在Y₂SiO₅中的上转换发光机理.研究结果表明:在1250 ℃相对较低的温度下合成了X2型单斜晶系Y₂SiO₅ ∶Ln³⁺(Ln³⁺=Er³⁺,Yb³⁺,Tm³⁺),Yb³⁺的敏化显著增强了样品在976 nm附近的吸收能力,并大幅度加宽了该处的吸收带.分析上转换发射光谱发现:上转换绿光和红光强度都随着Yb³⁺浓度的增加先增强后减弱,但红光的猝灭浓度较高,归因于Er³⁺→Yb³⁺反向能量传递ETU4和Yb³⁺→Er³⁺正向能量传递ETU3过程的发生;上转换蓝光发射是三光子吸收过程,是通过Yb³⁺,Tm³⁺之间三次声子辅助的能量转移方式实现的. 关键词： 上转换 共沉淀 2SiO₅∶Er³⁺')" href="#">Y₂SiO₅∶Er³⁺ 3+')" href="#">Yb³⁺ 3+')" href="#">Tm³⁺     

Spectroscopic characterisation of LaGaO3:Er3+ crystals

LaGaO₃ crystals doped with Er³⁺ ions were grown by the Czochralski method and their optical properties were examined. The Er³⁺ energy levels have been determined from the low-temperature absorption and emission spectra. The results of Judd–Ofelt analysis are presented and compared with experimental data. The emission cross sections are determined for the ⁴ I _13/2→⁴ I _15/2 (1.55 μm) and ⁴ I _11/2→⁴ I _13/2 (2.85 μm) transitions of erbium. Received: 6 December 1999 / Revised version: 10 February 2000 / Published online: 27 April 2000     

Determination of intramolecular energy-transfer efficiency in ytterbium chelates

The quantum yield of²F_5/2 →²F_7/2 luminescence of the Yb³⁺ ion has been measured for ytterbium tris-thenoyltrifluoroacetonate upon excitation in the UV S₀ → S₁ absorption band of a ligand and in the IR²F_7/2 →²F_5/2 absorption band of the Yb³⁺ ion. It has been established that the quantum efficiency of intramolecular transfer of electron excitation energy from the lowest triplet state of the ligand to the excited²F_5/2 level of Yb³⁺ is equal to unity. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 67, No. 4, pp. 539–542, July–August, 2000.     

Multifunctional Er3+–Yb3+ codoped Gd2O3 nanocrystalline phosphor synthesized through optimized combustion route

This paper reports the synthesis of high upconversion luminescent Gd₂O₃: Er³⁺, Yb³⁺ nanophosphor through optimized combustion route using urea as a reducing agent. The paper also reports the first observation of upconversion emission bands extending upto the UV region (335, 366 and 380 nm) in Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ co-doped phosphor materials. The fuel to oxidizer ratio has been varied to obtain the maximum upconversion luminescence. Three high intensity bands are found at 408, 523–548 and 667 nm due to the ⁴G_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2, ²H_11/2, ⁴S_3/2 → ⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2 → ⁴I_15/2 transitions, respectively, along with the other bands. Input excitation power dependence has been studied for different transitions, and the saturation effect and decrease in the slope of different transitions at higher input pump power has been explained. Heat treatments of the samples show change in crystallite phase/size and relative upconversion luminescence intensities of blue, green and red bands. The color of the phosphor emission has shown to be tunable with change in the crystal structure as well as on excitation laser power and Er³⁺–Yb³⁺ concentration. The property of color tunability of the phosphor material has been used to record the fingerprint in different colors. Also, the future prospect of the nanocrystalline phosphor material as a sensor for temperature, using FIR method, has been explored.     

Diode laser pumped Gd2O3:Er3+/Yb3+ phosphor as optical nano-heater

An intense green upconversion (UC) emission (λ _exc=976 nm) followed by the heating effect in Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ co-doped Gd₂O₃ nanoparticles has been detected. A temperature rise up to 504 K has been observed (on a noteworthy low laser excitation of 290 mW) using fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) method of the thermalized UC luminescence bands ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 of Er³⁺ ion. The reported controlled optical heating of nanoparticles and its nano-volume has potential applications in biomedicines and in the creation of holes in soft materials.     

Infrared-to-visible up-conversion emissions and thermometric applications of Er 3+-doped Al 2 O 3

Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ has been prepared by a sol–gel method, using aluminium isopropoxide [Al(OC₃H₇)₃]-derived Al₂O₃ sols with addition of erbium nitrate [Er(NO₃)₃·5H₂O]. The phase structure of θ-(Al,Er)₂O₃ phase was obtained for the 0.1 mol. % Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ at the sintering temperature of 1273 K. The green and red up-conversion emissions centered at about 523, 545 and 660 nm, corresponding respectively to the ² H _11/2, ⁴ S _3/2→⁴ I _15/2 and ⁴ F _9/2→⁴ I _15/2 transitions of Er³⁺, were detected by a 978-nm semiconductor laser diode excitation. The temperature dependence of green up-conversion emissions was studied over a wide temperature range of 295–725 K, and reasonable agreement between the calculated temperatures obtained by the fluorescence intensity ratio theory and the measured temperature was obtained, which proved that Er³⁺-doped Al₂O₃ has a good potential for the development of high-temperature sensors. It has some advantages compared to glasses due to its higher thermal and mechanical resistance and allows measurements in a large temperature range. PACS 78.55.Hx; 81.40.Tv     

Ce3+对Er3+/Yb3+共掺氟磷酸盐玻璃光谱性质的影响

研究了能量接受离子Ce³⁺对Er³⁺上转换发光强度以及Er³⁺在1.5μm附近波段发光性能参数的影响，并从能量匹配及能级结构角度出发对Er³⁺/Ce³⁺间的能量转移机制进行了分析.分析认为，⁴I_11/2能级的Er³⁺通过无辐射能量转移把能量传递给²F_5/2能级的Ce³⁺关键词： 氟磷酸盐玻璃 光谱性质 光纤放大器 3+和Ce³⁺')" href="#">Er³⁺和Ce³⁺     

Localized desvitrifiation in Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped strontium barium niobate glass by laser irradiation

Localized desvitrifiation in strontium barium niobate glass doped with Er³⁺ under laser irradiation has been carried out. The samples of this study have been fabricated by the melt quenching method and doped with 5% mol of Er³⁺. A 1.5-W cw Ar laser was focused on the sample to obtain desvitrifiation of the glass. Evidence of the changes induced by the Ar laser has been observed through the analysis of the photoluminescence of the Er³⁺ ions. The transitions corresponding to ²H_11/2→⁴I_15/2, ⁴S_3/2→⁴I_15/2 and ⁴F_9/2→⁴I_15/2 have been studied to analyze structure changes. Microluminescence measurements have been carried out to spatially select positions inside and outside the irradiated area. We have observed changes in the emission bands corresponding to these transitions. The emission bands from Er³⁺ ions in the irradiated zone show a resolved structure while they are broadened outside that area. These changes in the optical properties of the Er³⁺ ions indicate that the Ar-laser irradiation has produced a change in the local structure of the material. These results show that a localized desvitrifiation has been produced after the laser action and the transition from glass to glass ceramic has been completed.