Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 19, 2026

Synthesis of Core-shell Lanthanide-doped Upconversion Nanocrystals for Cellular Applications
Published on: November 10, 2017
Luminescence and upconversion from thulium(III) species in solution
Octavia A Blackburn1, Manuel Tropiano, Thomas Just Sørensen
1Chemistry Research Laboratory, University of Oxford, Mansfield Road, Oxford, OX1 3TA, UK.
Thulium (Tm3+) complexes exhibit luminescence from multiple excited states. Energy transfer and multi-photon excitation lead to unique emission pathways and upconversion phenomena.
Area of Science:
- Inorganic Chemistry
- Photophysics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Thulium (Tm3+) ions possess a rich excited-state manifold.
- Understanding luminescence and energy transfer in lanthanide complexes is crucial for developing advanced optical materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the emissive properties of thulium salts and complexes.
- To explore energy transfer mechanisms and multi-photon excitation pathways in Tm3+ systems.
- To characterize the role of ligand chromophores in modulating luminescence.
Main Methods:
- Spectroscopic analysis of thulium salts and complexes.
- Investigation of excited-state dynamics and energy transfer processes.
- Multi-photon excitation spectroscopy to probe higher energy states.
Main Results:
- Thulium (Tm3+) complexes emit light from three distinct excited states.
- Energy transfer from the (1)D(2) state to lower energy states ((1)G(4), (3)H(4)) was observed.
- Ligand chromophores can restrict emission to thulium-centered states.
- Direct multi-photon excitation of Tm3+ excited states was achieved.
- Upconversion phenomena were identified through multi-photon excitation spectra.
Conclusions:
- Thulium complexes offer versatile luminescence properties tunable by excited-state interactions.
- Multi-photon excitation and upconversion present novel pathways for manipulating Tm3+ emission.
- The interplay between thulium ions and ligand structures dictates photophysical behavior.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Photoluminescence: Fluorescence and Phosphorescence
A pair of electrons in a...
Photoluminescence: Applications
Deactivation Processes: Jablonski Diagram
Variables Affecting Phosphorescence and Fluorescence
Fluorescence and Phosphorescence: Instrumentation

