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Gradient Deep-Trap Engineering in Terbium-Doped LiYF4 Nanocrystals for Reconfigurable Multiplexed Encrypted Data
Qin Xiao1, Bao Fan1, Dongxin Guo1
1Key Laboratory of Atomic and Subatomic Structure and Quantum Control (Ministry of Education), School of Physics, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Quantum Engineering and Quantum Material, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory of Quantum Matter, Frontier Research Institute for Physics, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
Researchers developed gradient deep-trap engineering in LiYF4:Tb3+ nanocrystals for advanced optical data storage. This method enables multilevel encrypted storage and selective data retrieval, promising high-density, secure data solutions.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Data Storage
Background:
- Digital data growth necessitates high-capacity, stable, and secure storage solutions.
- Persistent luminescence (PersL) offers potential for optical data storage, but challenges remain in multilevel encoding and readout.
- Existing fluoride materials have limitations in trap depth and stability for advanced storage applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To engineer deep traps in LiYF4:Tb3+ nanocrystals for enhanced optical data storage.
- To demonstrate multiplexed encrypted storage using gradient deep-trap engineering.
- To enable selective readout of multilayered optical data within a single medium.
Main Methods:
- Synthesized LiYF4:Tb3+ nanocrystals with gradient deep-trap engineering.
- Utilized X-ray irradiation to create charge-compensating defects and deep traps (0.8-1.4 eV).
- Investigated persistent luminescence (PersL), photostimulated luminescence (PSL), and thermoluminescence (TL) properties.
Main Results:
- Achieved a broad distribution of deep traps in LiYF4:Tb3+ exceeding conventional fluorides.
- Demonstrated long-lasting PersL, PSL, and TSL with controllable trap profiles.
- Successfully implemented multilayer optical encryption and selective data decoding within a single nanocrystal medium.
Conclusions:
- Gradient deep-trap engineering in LiYF4:Tb3+ is a viable strategy for advanced optical data storage.
- The developed material exhibits excellent charge retention and thermal cyclability for secure data applications.
- This approach paves the way for scalable, high-density, and secure optical data storage solutions.
