High-security anti-counterfeiting through upconversion luminescence

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

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Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Article number100520
Journal / PublicationMaterials Today Physics
Volume21
Online published8 Sept 2021
Publication statusPublished - Nov 2021

Abstract

Upconversion luminescence is characterized by the conversion of near-infrared excitation into ultraviolet and visible emissions through a special class of doped optical materials. Recent advances in chemical synthesis have enabled the precise incorporation of multiple dopant ions into a single substrate of well-controlled size and morphology, which render emissions with distinguishable spectroscopic fingerprints as well as spatially and temporally resolved features. These luminescence characteristics hold great promise in anti-counterfeiting applications by encoding high-capacity optical codes. In this review, we focus on recent advances in anti-counterfeiting technology that exploits the remarkable tunability of upconversion luminescence to design optical codes with high-level security. We discuss various approaches for the design of upconversion materials and construction of upconversion codes, along with an analysis of future challenges for upconversion-based anti-counterfeiting. (C) 2021 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Research Area(s)

  • Upconversion, Multicolor emission, Anti-Counterfeiting, Optical multiplexing, ENERGY MIGRATION, NANOPARTICLES, ENHANCEMENT, NANOSTRUCTURE, DESIGN, LIGHT