Upconversion Nanocrystal‐Doped Glass: A New Paradigm for Photonic Materials

Abstract

The integration of novel luminescent nanomaterials into glassy matrix can lead to new hybrid materials and photonic devices with promising material performance and device functions. Lanthanide‐containing upconversion nanocrystals have become unique candidates for sensing, bioimaging, photon energy management, volumetric displays, and other photonic applications. Here, a versatile direct‐doping approach is developed to integrate bright upconversion nanocrystals in tellurite glass with tailored nanoscale properties. Following our two‐temperature glass‐melting technique, the doping temperature window of 550–625 °C and a 5 min dwell time at 577 °C are determined as the key to success, which balances the survival and dispersion of upconversion nanocrystals in glass. It is identified that the fine spectra of upconversion emissions can be used to diagnose the survival and dissolution fraction of doped nanocrystals in the glass. Moreover, 3D dispersion of nanocrystals in the glass is visualized by upconversion scanning confocal microscopy. It is further demonstrated that a low‐loss fiber, drawn from the highly transparent nanocrystals‐doped glass retains the distinct optical properties of upconversion nanocrystals. These results suggest a robust strategy for fabrication of high‐quality upconversion nanocrystal‐doped glasses. The new class of hybrid glasses allows for fiber‐based devices to be developed for photonic applications or as a useful tool for tailoring light–nanoparticles interactions study.

Upconversion from fluorophosphate glasses prepared with NaYF4:Er3+,Yb3+ nanocrystals

“…First, a host glass in which the nanocrystals can be dispersed without being decomposed, needs to be identied. As explained in, 20 two parameters need to be optimized when preparing a nanocrystals-containing glass using the direct particles doping method: the doping temperature (T doping ) at which the nanocrystals are added in the glass batch and the dwell time before quenching the glass aer adding the nanocrystals. The doping temperature should be lower than the nanocrystals' dissolution points, which was reported to be 750 C.…”

“…Because of the low dissolution point (750 C) of the nanocrystals, the glasses could be only obtained using direct particles doping method. 20 The concept of this method is based on using glass matrices with lower melting temperatures than those of the admixed nanoparticles. Using this method, we found that it is possible to increase the upconversion intensity from the NaYF 4 :Er 3+ ,Yb 3+ nanocrystals containing phosphate glasses by replacing Na 2 O by NaF in the glass matrix.…”

Glass and Process Development for the Next Generation of Optical Fibers: A Review

“…Recently, an alternative approach, the direct doping of NCs into tellurite-based glass melts, was developed [84][85][86][87]. This approach comprises a two-temperature melting procedure.…”

“…Building on the success in doping ND into TZN glass, LiYF4:Yb,Er UPNCs were successfully doped into TZN glass and fiber [87]. As for the ND doping, fine-tuning of the doping temperature and time was critical to balance NC dissolution and dispersion (Figure 4a).…”

Surface Plasmon Resonance Enhanced Spontaneous Upconversion and Stimulated Emissions in Glass Ceramics Containing Ba2LaF7 Nanocrystals

“…The integration of novel luminescent nanometer materials into glassy matrix can bring about new and promising optical hybrid materials and photonic devices in recent years [1]. Great enhancement of optical emission efficiency was realized in fluorosilicate glasses by the growth of the lanthanide doped fluoride nanocrystals embedded in the glass matrix [2].…”