Low temperature growth of single crystalline germanium nanowires

Ge nanowires have been prepared at a low temperature by a simple hydrothermal deposition process using Ge and GeO₂ powders as the starting materials. These as-prepared Ge nanowires are single crystalline with the diameter ranging from 150 nm to 600 nm and length of several dozens of micrometers. The photoluminescence spectrum under excitation at 330 nm shows a strong blue light emission at 441 nm. The results of the pressure and GeO₂ content dependences on the formation and growth of Ge nanowires show that the hydrothermal pressure and GeO₂ content play an essential role on the formation and growth of Ge nanowires under hydrothermal deposition conditions. The growth of Ge nanowires is proposed as a solid state growth mechanism.     

Controllable multicolor upconversion luminescence of lanthanide doped NaGdF4 nanocrystals through single laser excitation at 980 nm

Room temperature multicolor Upconversion (UC) luminescence in Yb3+, Tm3+, Er3+ ions doped NaGdF4 nanocrystals have been successfully synthesized by a hydrothermal method. As-prepared nanocrystals are highly crystalline and well-dispersed in cyclohexane to form stable and clear colloidal solutions, which demonstrates strong emission properties with a single laser excitation at 980 nm. The multicolor light consists of blue, green, and red UC radiations that correspond to transitions 1G4 --> 3H6 of Tm3+, 2H(11/2)/4S(3/2) --> 4I(15/2), and 4F(9/2) --> 4I(15/2) of Er3+ ions, respectively. The UC mechanisms were proposed based on spectral, kinetic, and pump power dependence analyses.     

Er3+/Yb3+掺杂NaGd(WO4)2粉体的制备与发光性能

采用水热法成功制备了Er~(3+)/Yb~(3+)双掺杂的NaGd(WO_4)_2纳米粉体,研究了不同络合剂、水热温度对样品形貌和结构的影响。测量了不同Er~(3+)掺杂浓度样品的可见上转换和近红外发射光谱。结果表明:在980nm LD激发下,可观测到样品强烈的绿色上转换发光,对应Er~(3+)的~2H_(11/2)→~4I_(15/2)(530nm)和~4S_(3/2)→~4I_(15/2)(552nm)跃迁,以及较弱的红色上转换和近红外发光,分别对应Er~(3+)的~4F_(9/2)→4I15/2(656nm)和~4I_(13/2)→~4I_(15/2)(1 532nm)跃迁。且随着Er~(3+)掺杂浓度的增加,样品的上转换红绿光和1.54μm附近的近红外光均呈现出先增大后减小的趋势。样品的激发和发射光谱显示,在378nm处的激发峰最强,对应Er~(3+)的~4I_(15/2)→~4 G_(11/2)能级跃迁,最强发射峰位于552nm。根据泵浦功率与发光强度的关系可以得出,红光和绿光的发射主要为双光子吸收过程,但红光还包含了一定的单光子吸收成分。     

Self-organized growth of Si/Silica/Er2Si2O7 core-shell nanowire heterostructures and their luminescence

Self-organized Si-Er heterostructure nanowires showed promising 1.54 microm Er(3+) optical activity. Si nanowires of about 120-nm diameter were grown vertically on Si substrates by the vapor-liquid-solid mechanism in an Si-Er-Cl-H(2) system using an Au catalyst. Meanwhile, a single-crystalline Er(2)Si(2)O(7) shell sandwiched between nanometer-thin amorphous silica shells was self-organized on the surface of Si nanowires. The nanometer-thin heterostructure shells make it possible to observe a carrier-mediated 1.53 microm Er(3+) photoluminescence spectrum consisting of a series of very sharp peaks. The Er(3+) spectrum and intensity showed absolutely no change as the temperature was increased from 25 to 300 K. The luminescence lifetime at room temperature was found to be 70 micros. The self-organized Si nanowires show great potential as the material basis for developing an Si-based Er light source.     

Synthesis of chainlike In2Ge2O7/amorphous GeO2 core/shell nanocables and their luminescence

Novel chainlike In2Ge2O7/amorphous GeO2 core/shell nanocables were successfully synthesized by the simple thermal evaporation method without the presence of catalyst. The growth process of the nanocables is based on vapor-solid (VS) growth mechanism. Its morphology and microstructures were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and photoluminescence spectroscopy. Studies indicate that typical chainlike nanocables consist of single crystalline In2Ge2O7 nanowires (core) with diameter of about 30 nm and amorphous GeO2 chainlike nanostructures (shell). Four emission peaks, namely 401 nm, 448.5 nm, 466.5 nm, and 491 nm, were observed in the room-temperature photoluminescence measurements.     

Synthesis and characterization of upconverting NaYF4:Er3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals via thermal decomposition of stearate precursor

Er3+-Yb3+ codoped hexagonal NaYF4 nanocrystals were prepared via a method of thermal decomposition of stearate precursor. Their crystal structure, morphologies and photoluminescence (PL) properties were characterized by XRD, SEM, and fluorescence spectra. The hexagonal NaYF4:Er3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals could be well dispersed in cyclohexane to form a clear solution. Under 980 nm excitation, the solution of Er3+-Yb3+ codoped NaYF4 nanocrystals emits bright green upconversion fluorescence.     

Non-linear optical properties of zinc oxide nanowires

High quality zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowires were grown on n-type Si (100) using vapor-liquid-solid process. We obtained the photoluminescence spectra of ZnO nanowires based on nonlinear optical process using an ultrashort wavelength femtosecond laser as a pumping source. The spectra shows the second harmonic generation phenomenon, as well as the exciton-exciton collision peak at 388 nm and the green emission peak at 515 nm caused by oxygen vacancy. A laser emission peak near 392 nm was observed when pump intensity surpassed 52 mJ/cm2 and a sharp peak about 0.5 nm wide emerged when the energy intensity reached 700 mJ/cm2. We attribute this excitation process to a two-photon absorption process enhanced by Rabi oscillation.     

Temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra of Er-Tm codoped calcium boroaluminate glasses

The temperature dependence of photoluminescence (PL) spectra of Er-Tm codoped calcium boroaluminate (CABAL) glasses with different dopant concentrations was investigated under 15-298 K, by pumping at 795 nm. The intensities of three band emissions located at 1.46, 1.53, and 1.80 μm decreased monotonically when increasing the temperature from at lower concentrations. However, the emissions peaked at 1.80 μm increase with the increasing temperature at higher concentrations. This was attributed to the increasing of cross relaxation (CR) resulting from the high doping concentration of Tm ions. This was evidenced by the much shorter fluorescence lifetime of 56 μs for the 3F4 emission due to 3F4→3H6 transition for the CABAL glass codoped with 2.00 mol.% Tm2O3, in comparison with 185 μs for that of 0.2 mol.% Tm2O3. The energy transfer (ET) and CR processes between Er3+ and Tm3+ ions have been discussed at different doping concentrations and operating temperatures. The nonexponential character of the decays of 4I(13/2) and 3H4 with the increasing concentration indicated the occurring of a dipole-dipole quenching processes in the framework of a diffusion-limited regime. The average critical distances of CR between Tm3+ ions and ET between Er3+ and Tm3+ ions were approximately 1 nm.     

Aligned silica nanowires on the inner wall of bubble-like silica film: the growth mechanism and photoluminescence

Large area, aligned amorphous silica nanowires grow on the inner wall of bubble-like silica film, which is prepared by thermal evaporation of a molten gallium-silicon alloy in a flow of ammonia. These nanowires are 10-20?nm in diameter and 0.5-1.5?μm in length. The bubble-like silica film functions as a substrate, guiding the growth of silica nanowires by a vapour-solid process. This work helps us to clearly elucidate the growth mechanism of aligned amorphous silica nanowires, ruling out the possibility of liquid gallium acting as a nucleation substrate for the growth of the aligned silica nanowires. A broad emission band from 290 to 600?nm is observed in the photoluminescence (PL) spectrum of these nanowires. There are seven PL peaks: two blue emission peaks at 430?nm (2.88?eV) and 475?nm (2.61?eV); and five ultraviolet emission peaks at 325?nm (3.82?eV), 350?nm (3.54?eV), 365?nm (3.40?eV), 385?nm (3.22?eV) and 390?nm (3.18?eV), which may be related to various oxygen defects.     

高声子能量氧化物对掺铒碲酸盐玻璃光谱性质的影响

在研制的Er3+/Ce3+共掺低声子能量碲酸盐玻璃(TeO2-Bi2O3-TiO2)中,分别引入高声子能量WO3、SiO2和B2O3氧化物组分,测试了玻璃样品400~1700 nm范围内的吸收光谱、1.53μm波段荧光谱、Er3+离子荧光寿命和拉曼光谱,结合McCumber理论计算了Er3+离子光谱参数.结果表明:高声子能量氧化物组分的引入,能使声子参与的Er3+/Ce3+离子间能量传递过程变得更为有效,增加了Er3+离子亚稳态能级4I13/2上粒子数积累,从而增强1.53μm波段荧光发射.另外,高声子能量氧化物组分的引入还可以增加荧光半高宽(FWHM)和带宽品质因子(σe×FWHM).研究结果对于获取具有优异光谱特性的掺Er3+光纤放大器(EDFA)的玻璃基质具有实际意义.     

Microstructure and environment dependence of 2H11/2 --> 4I15/2 upconversion emission in YVO4:Er3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals

Upconversion emission of different nanocrystalline YVO4:Er3+, Yb3+ synthesized by a hydrothermal process at low temperature was studied under 980 nm excitation where green [(2H11/2, 4S3/2) --> 4I15/2] and red (4F9/2 --> 4I15/2) emissions demonstrate sensitivity to the local environments of Er3+. Small particle size, high Yb3+ concentration, or high temperature favors the emission of the 2H11/2 --> 4I15/2 transition. Both XRD patterns and Raman spectra have confirmed that crystal lattice distortion of YVO4:Er3+, Yb3+ nanocrystals is more serious when the nanoparticle size is decreasing or Yb3+ concentration is increasing. This distortion is thought to play a key role in the observed spectral properties, which might lead to a new route to improve the monochromatic upconversion emission efficiency in these nanocrystals.     

NaYF4:Er3+六棱柱的水热合成及上转换发光性能

以氟化钠、硝酸钇、硝酸铒为原料,利用水热法合成NaYF4:Er3+材料。利用X射线粉末衍射仪(XRD)、场扫描电子显微镜(SEM)、红外吸收(FT-IR)以及发光光谱等手段对产物的物相结构、形貌和荧光性能进行分析。结果表明,NaYF4:Er3+为六角棱柱晶体,属于六方晶系,具有P63/m(176)空间点群结构。在980nm光激发下,NaYF4:Er3+展现出强的上转换光,波长在520nm和539nm为绿光发射,对应为Er3+离子的2 H11/2→4/I15/2和4S3/2→4/I15/2跃迁发射,而652nm为红光发射,则对应于Er3+离子的4F9/2→4/I15/2跃迁发射。     

Microstructure and photoluminescence properties of sol–gel Y2−xErxTi2O7 thin films

Optically active Y_2−xEr_xTi₂O₇ (YETO) thin films have been successfully deposited using the aerosol–gel process. The effects of post-deposition rapid thermal annealing and conventional thermal annealing heat-treatments have been investigated. The corresponding thin film microstructure is described and discussed in terms of crystallisation degree, mean crystallite size, and porosity. Strong photoluminescence (PL) at 1.53 μm is observed under 980 nm excitation. PL properties are found to depend closely on the film crystallisation degree. PL emission spectra exhibit sharp peaks for crystalline films and a wide band for amorphous ones. PL decay curves are also very closely related to the film microstructure and the corresponding lifetimes range between 2 and 7 ms for a similar erbium concentration.     

Er3+ -doped anatase TiO2 nanocrystals: crystal-field levels, excited-state dynamics, upconversion, and defect luminescence

A comprehensive survey of electronic structure and optical properties of rare-earth ions embedded in semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs) is of vital importance for their potential applications in areas as diverse as luminescent bioprobes, lighting, and displays. Er3+ -doped anatase TiO2 NCs, synthesized via a facile sol-gel solvothermal method, exhibit intense and well-resolved intra-4f emissions of Er3+ . Crystal-field (CF) spectra of Er3+ in TiO2 NCs are systematically studied by means of high-resolution emission and excitation spectra at 10-300 K. The CF analysis of Er3+ assuming a site symmetry of C(2v) yields a small root-mean-square deviation of 25.1 cm(-1) and reveals the relatively large CF strength (549 cm(-1) ) of Er3+, thus verifying the rationality of the C(2v) symmetry assignment of Er3+ in anatase TiO2 NCs. Based on a simplified thermalization model for the temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) dynamics from (4) S(3/2) , the intrinsic radiative luminescence lifetimes of (4) S(3/2) and (2) H(11/2) are experimentally determined to be 3.70 and 1.73 μs, respectively. Green and red upconversion (UC) luminescence of Er3+ can be achieved upon laser excitation at 974.5 nm. The UC intensity of Er3+ in Yb/Er-codoped NCs is found to be about five times higher than that of Er-singly-doped counterparts as a result of efficient Yb3+ sensitization and energy transfer upconversion (ETU) evidenced by its distinct UC luminescence dynamics. Furthermore, the origin of defect luminescence is revealed based on the temperature-dependent PL spectra upon excitation above the TiO2 bandgap at 325 nm.     

氟氧化物中Er3+的上转换发光

研究了Er^3 离子氟氧化物上的转换发光。在980nm光的激发下,测定了Er^3 离子浓度（分别为1mol%、2mol%、3mol%）不同时材料上的转换发光光谱。在可见光范围内,观察到了强红光和绿光,并且在短波段也观察到了光的发射,波峰分别位于661.545、456、409和380nm处。还测量了各样品的上转换发光强度随激发强度的变化情况,由LogIvis-LogIin曲线可知,红光为双光子过程和三光子过程,绿光为三光子过程。并初步研究了此材料的上转换过程和上转换通道。     

Optical properties of zigzag twinned geometry of Zn2SnO4 nanowires

High-density single-crystalline Zn2SnO4 nanowires have been successfully synthesized by using a simple thermal evaporation method by heating a mixture of ZnO and SnO2 nano powders. The products in general contain various geometries of wires, with an average diameter of 80-100 nm. These nanowires are ultra-long, up to 100 microns. The transmission electron microscopy study showed that these nanowires exhibited zigzag twinned geometry, and grow along the (111) direction. Low-temperature photoluminescence properties of the nanowires were measured, showing a strong green emission band at about 515 nm and a weak peak corresponding to UV emission at about 378 nm, which have not been reported before.     

Luminescence of er doped ZnS quantum dots excited by infrared lasers

ZnS:Er quantum dots were prepared in aqueous medium from readily available precursors. The construction, morphology and luminescence properties of the ZnS:Er quantum dots were evaluated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence spectra. The average particle size was calculated using the Scherrer formula to be 4 nm, which is also observed from high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) image. Different laser wavelengths at 976 +/- 2 nm and 1480 nm were utilized as the excitation source. ZnS:Er quantum dots had a fluorescence spectrum in 1550 nm region through the 4I13/2 --> 4I15/2 transition. Furthermore, intensity increased with increasing excitation intensity and dopant concentration. The reason for the photoluminescence spectra broadening is discussed. It is because the energy levels of Er3+ are split by a coulombic interaction between electrons, including spin correction and spin-orbit coupling, and eventually by the Stark effect due to ZnS QDs crystal field and local coordination.     

Emission properties of hydrothermal Yb(3+), Er(3+) and Yb(3+), Tm(3+)-codoped Lu2O3 nanorods: upconversion, cathodoluminescence and assessment of waveguide behavior

Yb(3+) and Ln(3+) (Ln(3+) = Er(3+) or Tm(3+)) codoped Lu(2)O(3) nanorods with cubic Ia3 symmetry have been prepared by low temperature hydrothermal procedures, and their luminescence properties and waveguide behavior analyzed by means of scanning near-field optical microscopy (SNOM). Room temperature upconversion (UC) under excitation at 980 nm and cathodoluminescence (CL) spectra were studied as a function of the Yb(+) concentration in the prepared nanorods. UC spectra revealed the strong development of Er(3+) (4)F(9/2) → (4)I(15/2) (red) and Tm(3+) (1)G(4) → (3)H(6) (blue) bands, which became the pre-eminent and even unique emissions for corresponding nanorods with the higher Yb(3+) concentration. Favored by the presence of large phonons in current nanorods, UC mechanisms that privilege the population of (4)F(9/2) and (1)G(4) emitting levels through phonon-assisted energy transfer and non-radiative relaxations account for these observed UC luminescence features. CL spectra show much more moderate development of the intensity ratio between the Er(3+) (4)F(9/2) → (4)I(15/2) (red) and (2)H(11/2), (4)S(3/2) → (4)I(15/2) (green) emissions with the increase in the Yb(3+) content, while for Yb(3+), Tm(3+)-codoped Lu(2)O(3) nanorods the dominant CL emission is Tm(3+) (1)D(2) → (3)F(4) (deep-blue). Uniform light emission along Yb(3+), Er(3+)-codoped Lu(2)O(3) rods has been observed by using SNOM photoluminescence images; however, the rods seem to be too thin for propagation of light.     

Fabrication and up-conversion luminescence of Er3+:Y2O3 nanoparticles

Y2O3 nanoparticles doped with different concentrations of Er3+ were prepared by the co-precipitation method. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy results show that Er3+ dissolves completely in the Y2O3 cubic phase. The Er3+:Y2O3 nanoparticles are homogeneous in size and nearly spherical, and the average diameter of the particles after being calcined at 1,000 degrees C for 2 h is in the range of 40-60 nm. When Er3+:Y2O3 nanoparticles are excited under a 980 nm diode laser, there are two main emission bands: green emission centered at 562 nm corresponding to the 4S3/2/2H11/2 --> 4115/2 radiative transitions and red emission centered at 660 nm corresponding to the 4F9/2 --> 4I15/2 radiative transitions. By changing the doping concentration of Er3+ ions, the up-conversion luminescence can be gradually tuned from green to red.     

Homogeneous assay technology based on upconverting phosphors

Upconversion photoluminescence can eliminate problems associated with autofluorescence and scattered excitation light in homogeneous luminescence-based assays without need for temporal resolution. We have demonstrated a luminescence resonance energy-transfer-based assay utilizing inorganic upconverting (UPC) lanthanide phosphor as a donor and fluorescent protein as an acceptor. UPC phosphors are excited at near-infrared and they have narrow-banded anti-Stokes emission at visible wavelengths enabling measurement of the proximity-dependent sensitized emission with minimal background. The acceptor alone does not generate any direct emission at shorter wavelengths under near-infrared excitation. A competitive model assay for biotin was constructed using streptavidin-conjugated Er3+,Yb3+-doped UPC phosphor as a donor and biotinylated phycobiliprotein as an acceptor. UPC phosphor was excited at near-infrared (980 nm) and sensitized acceptor emission was measured at red wavelength (600 nm) by using a microtitration plate fluorometer equipped with an infrared laser diode and suitable excitation and emission filters. Lower limit of detection was in the subnanomolar concentration range. Compared to time-resolved fluorometry, the developed assay technology enabled simplified instrumentation. Excitation at near-infrared and emission at red wavelengths render the technology also suitable to analysis of strongly colored and fluorescent samples, which are often of concern in clinical immunoassays and in high-throughput screening.