Selectively Manipulating Interactions between Lanthanide Sublattices in Nanostructure toward Orthogonal Upconversion.

Area of Science:

• Materials Science
• Photonics
• Nanotechnology

Background:

• Controlling lanthanide ion interactions is crucial for tuning luminescence dynamics and emission colors in advanced materials.
• Understanding the complex interactions between heavily doped lanthanide ions, especially within lanthanide sublattices, remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a conceptual model for selectively manipulating spatial interactions between erbium (Er3+) and ytterbium (Yb3+) sublattices.
• To achieve red-to-green color-switchable upconversion luminescence through nanoscale interfacial energy transfer control.

Main Methods:

• Design of a multilayer core-shell nanostructure to engineer interfacial interactions.
• Investigation of interfacial cross-relaxation as a primary mechanism for luminescence quenching.
• Exploration of temporal control over up-transition dynamics.

Main Results:

• Demonstrated selective manipulation of Er3+ and Yb3+ sublattice interactions via the designed nanostructure.
• Identified interfacial cross-relaxation as a key factor quenching green emission from Er3+.
• Achieved tunable red-to-green upconversion luminescence by controlling interfacial energy transfer.

Conclusions:

• The study presents a novel strategy for orthogonal upconversion through nanoscale control of lanthanide interactions.
• The findings show significant promise for next-generation photonic devices and applications.
• This work advances the understanding and manipulation of luminescence in heavily doped lanthanide materials.