Experimental validation of a modeling framework for upconversion enhancement in 1D-photonic crystals

Abstract

Photonic structures can be designed to tailor luminescence properties of materials, which becomes particularly interesting for non-linear phenomena, such as photon upconversion. However, there is no adequate theoretical framework to optimize photonic structure designs for upconversion enhancement. Here, we present a comprehensive theoretical model describing photonic effects on upconversion and confirm the model’s predictions by experimental realization of 1D-photonic upconverter devices with large statistics and parameter scans. The measured upconversion photoluminescence enhancement reaches 82 ± 24% of the simulated enhancement, in the mean of 2480 separate measurements, scanning the irradiance and the excitation wavelength on 40 different sample designs. Additionally, the trends expected from the modeled interaction of photonic energy density enhancement, local density of optical states and internal upconversion dynamics, are clearly validated in all experimentally performed parameter scans. Our simulation tool now opens the possibility of precisely designing photonic structure designs for various upconverting materials and applications.

Harvesting Sub-bandgap Photons via Upconversion for Perovskite Solar Cells

“…Fluoride materials in the form of large discs are possible to implement by means of optical ceramics production, as described in the review. 59 A recent review by Richards et al indicates that several orders of magnitude increase in the generation rate is required before UC can begin to be an efficient process; 60 thus, taking advantage of nanophotonic structures, 61 plasmonics, 62 and concentrated light 63 all becomes interesting approaches.…”

Is Poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) a Suitable Substrate for ALD?: A Review

“…In another study, Hofmann et al reported that thin layers of TiO 2 by ALD were used in the fabrication of an organic-inorganic hybrid Bragg stack and the photonic effects of the as-prepared Bragg stack were investigated on upconversion luminescence [56,57]. The architecture of the Bragg stack consists of TiO 2 ALD layers and PMMA with sodium yttrium fluoride active nanoparticles (NPs) doped with trivalent erbium ions (β-NaYF 4 :25%Er +3 ), mixed on borofloat 33 glass.…”

Highly Versatile Upconverting Oxyfluoride-Based Nanophosphor Films

“…Along with the quest for stable, bright and efficient materials, scientists are lately concerned about their processing, required to achieve versatile UC coatings that can be readily integrated in devices that benefit from them. 11 , 16 , 32 Indeed, features beyond efficiency such as transparency, pliability or tailor-made chromaticity are sought after. 33 − 39 Thus, flexible and transparent polymer waveguides based on UC nanophosphors have been demonstrated by dispersing UCNPs in a polymer.…”

“…Along with the quest for stable, bright and efficient materials, scientists are lately concerned about their processing, required to achieve versatile UC coatings that can be readily integrated in devices that benefit from them. ,, Indeed, features beyond efficiency such as transparency, pliability or tailor-made chromaticity are sought after. − Thus, flexible and transparent polymer waveguides based on UC nanophosphors have been demonstrated by dispersing UCNPs in a polymer. , However, it is still challenging to increase nanophosphor filling fraction without compromising the stability of the composite. Besides, multicolor emission is generally achieved by doping a single nanomaterial with different cations. , Yet, activator codoping typically leads to unwanted cross-relaxation that results in UC quenching, along with a strong dependence of the color on the excitation power …”