Sensitized NIR erbium(III) emission in confined geometries: a new strategy for light emitters in telecom applications

A new hybrid material, based on Er(3+) exchanged zeolite L loaded with DFB molecules, is proposed as an efficient emitter in the third telecommunication window. The close proximity between the Er(3+) ions and perfluorinated dyes, induced by the restricted geometry of the zeolite nanochannels, allows sensitized emission at 1.5 mum, with a lifetime >2 orders of magnitude longer than that for classic erbium organic complexes using nonfluorinated ligands. This approach, circumventing the requirement of the creation of real chemical bonds between the organic species and the metal ion, opens the way to using as an efficient antenna, the organic molecules for which the complexation to the metal ions cannot be realized.