Unveiling structured domains of persistent luminescent microparticles using second-harmonic generation microscopy

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Optics
• Solid State Physics

Background:

• Persistent luminescent materials store and release energy as light.
• Understanding the internal structure of these microparticles is crucial for optimizing their properties.
• Current methods may struggle to noninvasively probe microparticle structures within matrices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and demonstrate second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy for analyzing persistent luminescent microparticles.
• To investigate the internal structure of dysprosium- and europium-doped strontium aluminates.
• To assess the potential of SHG microscopy for studying embedded microparticles.

Main Methods:

• Utilizing second-harmonic generation (SHG) microscopy.
• Performing three-dimensional (3D) mapping of SHG signals.
• Analyzing monoclinic dysprosium- and europium-doped strontium aluminates (SrAl2O4:Dy,Eu).

Main Results:

• Successfully visualized micrometer-sized structured domains within persistent luminescent microparticles for the first time.
• Demonstrated the ability to map SHG signals in 3D.
• Confirmed the presence of internal structures in both prepared and glass-embedded microparticles.

Conclusions:

• Second-harmonic generation microscopy is a powerful tool for noninvasively studying persistent luminescent microparticles.
• The technique reveals previously unseen micro-structured domains.
• SHG microscopy holds significant potential for analyzing diverse luminescent materials within various glass matrices.