A Photostimulated BaSi₂O₅:Eu²⁺,Nd³⁺ Phosphor‐in‐Glass for Erasable‐Rewritable Optical Storage Medium

Abstract

Up‐to‐date optical storage technology calls for large memory capacity, expanded storage dimension, rewritable capability, low cost, and high energy efficiency, which poses stringent requirements on the storage medium. In this study, a novel BaSi2O5:Eu2+,Nd3+ photostimulated luminescence (PSL) phosphor is developed and then made into phosphor‐in‐glass (PiG) storage medium. Upon ultraviolet light irradiation (write‐in), the generated electrons are captured by the traps, which can be further released by thermal or near‐infrared laser stimulation (read‐out). An insightful investigation is carried out to establish the relationship between trap properties and PSL performance. Demonstration application confirmed the intensity‐multiplexing optical information (including the designed bar code, quick response (QR) code, graphic patterns, and binary data) encoding/decoding. Remarkably, BaSi2O5:Eu2+,Nd3+ PSL PiG show excellent erasable‐rewritable capability thanking to the admirable anti‐ultraviolet property in glass host, as well as good optical data retention ability owing to the spatially isolated deep traps. Hopefully, the present work can push forward the research progress of PSL material and its practical application in optical storage.

Identifying and explaining vibrational modes of sanbornite (low-BaSi2O5) and Ba5Si8O21: A joint experimental and theoretical study

“…Barium silicates are extensively studied for their excellent material properties and device performance in a range of important technological applications [1][2][3][4][5][6][7] Sanbornite (low-BaSi2O5) is a uncommon mineral found in Big Creek, California (USA), and its hydrous analogue bigcreekite (BaSi2O5•4H2O) are rare examples where Ba is concentrated in a silicate phase [8][9][10]. On the other hand, Ba5Si8O21 is a synthetic phase, displaying the rare characteristic of being an anhydrous phase containing ribbons (quadruple zweier chains) of silica tetrahedra surrounded by Ba cations which stabilize the stretched chains.…”

Broadband NIR photostimulated luminescence nanoprobes based on CaS:Eu2+,Sm3+ nanocrystals

“…Photostimulated luminescence (PSL) phosphors can store excitation energy and release it as light emission upon infrared light irradiation. [1][2][3][4][5] The physical origin of PSL is similar to that of persistent luminescence (PersL) except that the traps of PSL materials are deeper than those of their PersL analogs, which cannot be thermally activated at room temperature. [6][7][8][9] Over the past decades, numerous efforts have been devoted to the design of efficient PSL phosphors for applications in radiation dosimeters, optical storage, infrared sensors, and luminescent paints.…”

Optically Stimulated Luminescence Phosphors: Principles, Applications, and Prospects

“…In 2009, Lin et al reported BaSi 2 O 5 :Eu 2+ , Nd 3+ PiG with OSL property for optical encoding/decoding. [96] The upper panel of Figure 24d shows the whole domain read-out of the stored information from the OSL PiG plate which was preirradiated by UV light through photomasks with designed patterns. Meanwhile, a further proof-of-concept implementation of optical write-in and read-out in bit-by-bit mode was also carried out.…”

“…Reproduced with permission. [96] Copyright 2019, Wiley-VCH. The dosimeter is initially scanned with the red laser sheet for OSL signal, then with the UV source for PL signal.…”