Spectral-Luminescent and Lasing Properties of Aminocoumarin Derivatives in Thin Polymer Films

The absorption and fluorescence spectra and the lasing ability of aminocoumarin derivatives in thin polymer layers (0.5–0.8 μm) based on the copolymer methylmethacrylate with a methacrylic acid and the copolymer methylmethacrylate with glycidylmethacrylate formed by coating of optically transparent glass substrates have been studied. It is found that the intensity of absorption and luminescence as well as the lasing resource of coumarins are determined by the structure of the latter and by the nature of the polymer medium. Compositions based on the copolymer methylmethacrylate with glycidylmethacrylate and aminocoumarin derivatives with a fluorized methyl group at the 4th molecular position can be of interest in optical technologies (light transformers, amplifiers). __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 72, No. 4, pp. 464–467, July–August, 2005.     

Synthesis and luminescence of a folic acid-europium chelate conjugate

We have synthesized a folic acid–europium complex conjugate which shows promise for biomedical applications. We have studied the absorption spectra, the luminescence spectra, and the luminescence excitation spectra of folic acid–spacer–amino-substituted phenanthroline and folic acid–spacer–europium chelate conjugates, and also of the individual components of the synthesized triads. All the spectral luminescence data obtained confirm that a folic acid–europium complex conjugate is fogrmed. Binding of the synthesized conjugate to a folate receptor on HeLa tumor cells is demonstrated.     

Impurity Cu+ centers in LiF single crystals

LiF single crystals with copper impurity (0.0004–0.002%) have been grown by the Czochralski method and investigated. The luminescence, excitation, and optical absorption spectra have been recorded. The luminescence spectrum contains a band at 450 nm upon 250-nm excitation. This band is attributed to Cu⁺ centers in the samples grown. The mechanisms of capture and recombination during thermoluminescence are considered.     

Spectroscopic characteristics of anionic centers in α-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> crystals bombarded by Cu<Superscript>+</Superscript> and Ti<Superscript>+</Superscript> ions

We have studied the effect of bombardment by Cu⁺ and Ti⁺ ions with energy 30 keV on the optical absorption and luminescence of F centers in oxygen-deficient aluminum oxide. We have shown that in the induced optical absorption spectra there are six components of gaussian shape, which can be assigned to absorption bands of F⁺, F², and F₂⁺ centers. We have established that bombardment of the samples by ion beams has a weak effect on the thermoluminescence parameters in the 3.0 eV and 2.4 eV bands, while in the 3.8 eV luminescence band for F⁺ centers, the thermoluminescent response increases considerably. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 75, No. 3, pp. 422–424, May–June, 2008.     

Correlation between optical,structural, and sensor properties of nanostructures of nickel oxide on aluminum oxide substrates

We have established a correlation between diffuse reflection of nickel oxide-based composites in the red region of the spectrum and the nanostructural properties of the roughness profile of the composite. We present calculations of the absorption spectra for samples of nanostructured nickel oxide of thickness 0.25–0.35 μm on aluminum oxide substrates from diffuse reflection and transmission of the layers by multiple scattering methods, taking into account the luminescence of the samples in the weak absorption region. Using a special optical system, we have determined the selective sensitivity to carbon monoxide exposure of a nanostructured nickel oxide composite at room temperature. The result is of fundamental importance for development of optical selective gas sensor technology in the visible region of the spectrum.     

Analysis of the latent structure of luminescence and absorption spectra of thallium complexes

Comprehensive investigations of luminescence, excitation, and absorption spectra as well as of the luminescence kinetics of a frozen LiCl-Tl⁺ solution are carried out. It is established that the luminescence spectrum consists of four components. One component is caused by luminescence of the matrix and the remainder by luminescence of one luminescence center, namely, by the saturated complex of thallium TlCl₂(H₂O)Cl₄. The absorption spectrum consists of three components. Their parameters have been evaluated. Each component of the luminescence spectrum is excited in several components of the absorption spectrum. It is found that the luminescence spectrum components and their intrinsic absorption bands are located differently on the frequency axis. These data are similar to those obtained for other activated solutions of electrolytes. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 67, No. 1, pp. 75–78, January–February, 2000.     

Physical properties of bulk single-crystal wafers of gallium nitride

A study has been performed of the crystalline structure and optical characteristics of single crystals of gallium nitride (GaN). The crystals were grown from a gallium-based flux. X-ray structural analysis showed that the crystals have wurzite structure 2H-GaN. From their luminescence characteristics and optical absorption spectra the crystals are similar to 2H-GaN epitaxial layers described in the literature. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 39, 858–860 (May 1977)     

Anti-stokes luminescence of Zn<Subscript>0.6</Subscript>Cd<Subscript>0.4</Subscript>S solid solutions with adsorbed organic dye molecules and few-atom silver clusters

For microcrystals of Zn_0.6Cd_0.4S with adsorbed molecules of a number of organic dyes, we have observed sensitized anti-Stokes luminescence excited by radiation with wavelengths in the range 610–750 nm and flux density 10¹⁴–10¹⁵ photons/cm²·sec. The positions of the bands in the excitation spectra for such luminescence match those of the absorption spectra for the adsorbed dye molecules, which is evidence in favor of a cooperative mechanism for its appearance. We have shown that enhancement of the anti-Stokes luminescence is possible when silver atoms and few-atom clusters appear on the Zn_0.6Cd_0.4S surface in addition to the dye molecules. We hypothesize that its excitation in the latter case occurs as a result of two-photon optical transitions. These transitions occur sequentially, with transfer of an electron or the electronic excitation energy from the dye molecules to silver atoms and few-atom clusters adsorbed on the surface of Zn_0.6Cd_0.4S, creating deep localized states in the bandgap with photoionization energies 1.80–2.00 eV. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 5, pp. 617–621, September–October, 2007.     

Spectral-luminescent parameters of the amniotic fluid

Absorption and luminescence excitation and emission spectra of the amniotic fluid from females with a normal course of pregnancy and with fetation anomalies are investigated. It is shown that the amniotic fluid manifests, in addition to an intense UV luminescence, a luminescence in the range of 380–650 nm. The first luminescence peak with λ_max = 430–450 nm is most likely due to the presence of NADH₂ and hormones in the amniotic fluid, whereas the peak located at longer wavelengths with λ_max = 520–540 nm is due to pigments (bilirubin, etc.). Differences in absorption spectra of the amniotic fluid in the case of the normal course of pregnancy and upon its pathologies are established. Luminescence emission and excitation spectra of the amniotic fluid in cases of intrauterine fetation pathologies are shifted toward the longwave region compared to normal pregnancy cases. It is concluded that the spectral-luminescent analysis of the amniotic fluid can be used as an additional rapid test for monitoring of intrauterine fetal pathologies. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 65, No. 6, pp. 939–942, November–December, 1998.     

Calibration of the spectral sensitivity of instruments for the near infrared region

We present an analysis of methods for calibration of the spectral sensitivity of instruments in the near IR region of the spectrum (0.90–2.05 μm), using as an example recording of the luminescence spectra of PbS semiconductor quantum dots using a diffraction monochromator and an InGaAs photodiode as the detector. We show that when high-sensitivity detectors are employed for calibration using the emission spectrum of an ideal black body, the problem of attenuation of the radiation flux is still important. Instead of neutral density glass and mesh light filters for attenuation of the radiation, we propose using UFS ultraviolet optical glasses (together with PS purple glasses), the maximum optical density of which is within the region of maximum spectral sensitivity of InGaAs photodiodes. We give examples of spectral calibration, taking into account instrumental characteristics and the effect of absorption by water vapor in the air, and also corrections of the luminescence spectra of quantum dots.     

Luminescence excitation spectra and characteristics of luminescence centers with overlapping absorption bands

For an ensemble of different types of luminescence centers with overlapping absorption bands, with no restrictions on the optical densities, we have obtained relations describing the luminescence excitation spectra for each type of center. We consider transformations of the relations in some limiting cases. We suggest a procedure for using the equations obtained to determine the characteristics of the luminescence centers. Some of these procedures have been experimentally implemented in study of intrinsic radiation color centers in lithium fluoride crystals. We have determined the ratios of the luminescence quantum yields for F₂ and F₃⁺ color centers, and we have observed that a major role is played by nonradiative transitions in deactivation of the first excited singlet state of F₃⁺ centers. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 75, No. 3, pp. 365–371, May–June, 2008.     

Burstein–Moss shift and room temperature near-band-edge luminescence in lithium-doped zinc oxide

Nanopowders of pure and lithium-doped semiconducting ZnO (Zn_1−x Li _x O, where x= 0, 0.01, 0.03, 0.06, 0.09 and 0.15 in atomic percent (at.%)) are prepared by PEG-assisted low-temperature hydrothermal method. The average crystallite size is calculated using Debye–Scherrer formula and corrected for strain-induced broadening by Williamson–Hall (W–H) plot. The peak shift in XRD and the lattice constant of ZnO as a function of unit cell composition are predicted by Vegard’s law. The evolution of ZnO nanostructures from rod-shaped to particle nature is observed from TEM images and the influence of dopant on the morphology is investigated. The optical absorption measurement marks an indication that the incorporation of lithium ion into the lattice of ZnO widens the optical band gap energy from ∼2.60 to ∼3.20 eV. The near band edge (NBE) emission peak centered at ∼3.10 eV is considered to be the dominant emission peak in the PL spectra. Blue emission peak is not observed in doped ZnO, thus promoting defect-free nanoparticles. The Burstein–Moss shift serves as a qualitative tool to analyze the widening of the optical band gap and to study the shape of the NBE luminescence in doped ZnO nanopowders. FT-IR spectra are used to identify the strong metal–oxide (Zn–O) interaction.     

Optical properties of CuInS2 nanoparticles in the region of the fundamental absorption edge

Glasses are obtained that contain CuInS₂ nanoparticles dispersed in a silicate matrix. The absorption and luminescence spectra of the glasses containing CuInS₂ nanocrystals with particle dimensions of 10–70 nm are studied. The possible reasons for the longwave shift of the fundamental absorption edge and inconsistency of the crystal structure of the CuInS₂ nanoparticles with a chalcopyrite lattice are discussed. Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 65, No. 3, pp. 387–393, May–June, 1998.     

Spectral,luminescent, and lasing properties of pyran derivatives in thin acrylic films under optical excitation

Absorption and fluorescence spectra and lasing ability of pyran derivatives in thin polymeric layers (0.5–0.8 μm) based on polymethylmethacrylate and copolymerized methylmethacrylate and methacrylic acid are investigated. It is revealed that the absorption and luminescence intensities and the laser service lifetime of dicyanomethilene (DCM) pyran derivatives are determined by their composition and nature of the polymeric medium. Compositions based on DCM and examined polymers are of interest for preparation of thin-film active media lasing in the red range of the spectrum. __________ Translated from Izvestiya Vysshikh Uchebnykh Zavedenii, Fizika, No. 10, pp. 63–66, October, 2005.     

Luminescent properties of crystalline lithium triborate LiB3O5

A study of the luminescence characteristics of crystalline lithium triborate LiB₃O₅ (LBO) is reported. Investigation of the excitation and photoluminescence spectra of nominally pure, oriented LBO crystals within broad spectral (1.2–10.5 eV) and temperature (8–500 K) regions, complemented by optical spectroscopy at the long-wavelength fundamental-absorption edge, has revealed that the broad-band LBO luminescence in the 3.5–4.5-eV region is efficiently excited by photons having energies above 7.5 eV in recombination processes and under corpuscular or x-ray irradiation. The totality of the experimental data obtained permitted a conclusion that the LBO luminescence has an intrinsic nature and that it originates from radiative decay of relaxed electronic excitations. Fiz. Tverd. Tela (St. Petersburg) 41, 223–228 (February 1999)     

Luminescent method for determining low concentrations of a substance in optically dense media

We have developed a method for quantitative luminescent analysis of multicomponent media. To carry out this method, we need to use a standard luminescent probe and have overlap between the luminescence excitation spectra of the probe and the analyte substance. We have shown that the method is applicable for analysis of scattering media with different absorption optical densities, including optically dense media. We have demonstrated that it is invariant relative to changes in the experimental geometry and the parameters of the medium. A broad range of measurable values is characteristic of the method. Its sensitivity is determined by the sensitivity of the luminescence intensity measurements. We have determined concentrations of organic substances in the range ~10^–10 to 10^–11 g/cm³.     

One-pot synthesis and optical properties of monodisperse ZnSe colloidal microspheres

Monodisperse ZnSe colloidal microspheres were fabricated by a green one-pot wet chemical strategy through aggregation of primary nanoparticles without expensive organic additives or reductants involved. The as-prepared products were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Raman spectrum, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), UV–vis absorption and room-temperature photoluminescence techniques. The size-dependent optical spectra of as-obtained microspheres were blue-shifted in comparison with that of bulk ZnSe and exhibit near band edge luminescence, indicating the quantum confinement effect. The strong and stable blue emission band from the ZnSe colloidal microspheres indicates their potential applications as building blocks in photonic crystals.     

Spectroscopic and photoluminescence studies on optically transparent magnetic nanocomposites based on sol–gel glass: Fe3O4

Sol–gel glasses with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles having particle sizes laying in the range 10–20 nm were encapsulated in the porous network of silica resulting in nanocomposites having both optical and magnetic properties. Spectroscopic and photoluminescence studies indicated that Fe₃O₄ nanocrystals are embedded in the silica matrix with no strong Si–O–Fe bonding. The composites exhibited a blue luminescence. The optical absorption edge of the composites red shifted with increasing concentration of Fe₃O₄ in the silica matrix. There is no obvious shift in the position of the luminescence peak with the concentration of Fe₃O₄ except that the intensity of the peak is decreased. The unique combinations of magnetic and optical properties are appealing for magneto–optical applications.     

Effect of neutron irradiation of colorless sapphire (leucosapphire) single crystals on their absorption and luminescence spectra

Features of the thermoradiative changes in the optical absorption and luminescence spectra of leucosapphire (colorless sapphire) crystals irradiated by neutron fluences within the range 5·10¹⁵ to 5·10¹⁹ cm⁻² have been studied in the visible region. The stepwise character of these processes was established as well as the basic steps involved in bleaching the induced color of the wafers as a result of isochronal annealing. Some anomalies have been observed in the temperature dependence of the optical density of the 460–620 nm bands, the activation energies for the color centers as well as the color center concentrations have been calculated, and the nature of the radiation-induced centers has been analyzed. An analytical expression is proposed to describe the accumulation kinetics for the centers during irradiation of the crystals by reactor neutrons. It is concluded that there is an interconnection between, for example, the 460 nm color centers and the 540 nm luminescence centers, and that there is a common mechanism for the process of radiation-induced defect formation, initially responsible for their formation in the crystal. The possible effect of reabsorption of radiation on the behavior of the Y(Φ) curve in the irradiated material is discussed. __________ Translated from Zhurnal Prikladnoi Spektroskopii, Vol. 74, No. 2, pp. 247–251, March–April, 2007.     

Optical properties of polysiloxane hybrid thin films containing nano-sized Ag–As–Se chalcogenide clusters

Chalcogenide glasses are attractive for all-optical signal processing due to their outstanding optical properties, including large optical nonlinearity, a high refractive index and high photosensitivity. In device fabrication, a challenge lies in the difficulty of obtaining thin films with a high stability and good uniformity. In this paper, optical thin films containing nano-sized chalcogenide clusters in polysiloxane matrices are fabricated by a modified plasma deposition process. The optical absorption and luminescence emission properties of the hybrid thin films were characterized by UV-Vis-NIR and fluorescence spectroscopy. Luminescent emission from Ag–As–Se nano-sized clusters was observed for the first time in these nano-hybrid thin films, and the mechanism was discussed.