Amplifying excitation-power sensitivity of photon upconversion in a NaYbF4:Ho nanostructure for direct visualization of electromagnetic hotspots

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

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Author(s)

  • Bing Chen
  • Yong Liu
  • Yao Xiao
  • Yang Li
  • Mingyu Li
  • Xvsheng Qiao
  • Xianping Fan

Related Research Unit(s)

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)4916-4921
Journal / PublicationJournal of Physical Chemistry Letters
Volume7
Issue number23
Online published15 Nov 2016
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2016

Abstract

Controlling excitation power is the most convenient approach to dynamically tuning upconversion that is essential for a variety of studies. However, this approach suffers from a significant constraint due to insensitive response of most upconversion systems to excitation power. Here we present a study of amplifying excitation power-sensitivity of upconversion in Ho3+ ions through the use of a NaYbF4 host. Mechanistic investigation reveals that the sensitive response of Ho3+ upconversion to excitation power stems from maximal use of the incident energy enabled by concentrated Yb3+ sensitizers. This allows us to sensitively tune the red-to-green emission intensity ratio from 0.37 to 5.19 by increasing the excitation power from 1.25 to 46.25 W cm-2, which represents a 5.6-fold amplification of the tunability (from 0.19 to 0.49) offered by Yb/Ho (19/1 mol %) codoped NaYF4. Our results highlight that the excitation-power sensitive upconversion emission can be exploited to experimentally visualize electromagnetic hotspots.

Citation Format(s)

Amplifying excitation-power sensitivity of photon upconversion in a NaYbF4:Ho nanostructure for direct visualization of electromagnetic hotspots. / Chen, Bing; Liu, Yong; Xiao, Yao et al.
In: Journal of Physical Chemistry Letters, Vol. 7, No. 23, 01.12.2016, p. 4916-4921.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review