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Upconversion Luminescence Enhancement through Crystal Field Engineering for Multimode Optical Thermometry with High
Guotao Xiang1,2,3,4, Yu Zhang1, Hongdou Chen1
1School of Electronic Science and Engineering, Chongqing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 2 Chongwen Road, Chongqing 400065, China.
Inorganic Chemistry
|May 5, 2026
Summary
Researchers enhanced upconversion (UC) luminescence in LaScO3:Yb3+/Er3+ using Y3+ doping for advanced optical thermometers. This breakthrough enables precise, noncontact temperature sensing in biomedical applications, including deep-tissue thermal imaging.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Nanotechnology
- Biomedical Optics
Background:
- Noncontact optical thermometry utilizing upconversion (UC) luminescence is crucial for biomedical applications.
- Enhancing UC luminescence intensity is key to improving thermometer sensitivity and accuracy.
- Tailoring the local crystal field environment of luminescent materials can significantly impact their optical properties.
Purpose of the Study:
- To enhance the upconversion luminescence intensity of LaScO3:Yb3+/Er3+ through Y3+ doping.
- To investigate the underlying mechanisms responsible for the luminescence enhancement.
- To develop and validate fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR)-based optical thermometers for biomedical applications.
Main Methods:
- Y3+ doping of LaScO3:Yb3+/Er3+ to modify the crystal field.
- Rietveld structural refinement and Eu3+ spectral probing to analyze structural changes.
- Construction and characterization of three FIR-based thermometers operating in green, red, and near-infrared (NIR) regions.
Main Results:
- A 2.7-fold enhancement in UC luminescence intensity was achieved by Y3+ doping.
- Y3+-induced lattice distortion was identified as the cause of enhanced luminescence by disrupting local symmetry.
- Optimal doping concentrations were determined: Yb3+ (5%), Er3+ (2%), and Y3+ (10%).
- High thermometric sensitivity and accuracy were demonstrated across all developed thermometers.
- The NIR thermometer successfully performed temperature detection through 8 mm of biological tissue with minimal FIR deviation.
Conclusions:
- Y3+ doping is an effective strategy to enhance UC luminescence in LaScO3:Yb3+/Er3+ for optical thermometry.
- The developed FIR-based thermometers, particularly the NIR one, show significant potential for deep-tissue thermal sensing.
- This work provides a pathway for designing efficient UC materials and advanced optical thermometers for biological applications.
