Pushing the Limit of Boltzmann Distribution in Cr3+-Doped CaHfO3 for Cryogenic Thermometry

Cr3+-Doped LiAlO2 NIR-I Emitting Phosphors with Superior Resistance to Thermal Quenching for Night Vision Monitoring and Bioimaging

Near-infrared phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (NIR pc-LEDs) as a new NIR light source has outstanding application potential in the fields of NIR spectroscopy analysis, sensing, imaging, and pattern recognition. Therefore, the development of NIR phosphors with good NIR luminescence thermal stability has attracted much attention. To this end, we developed LiAlO2:Cr3+ garnet-type NIR phosphors by a high-temperature solid-state reaction method. Under 405 nm excitation, the Cr3+ ions located in tetrahedrons of LiAlO2 emit NIR emission in a broadband NIR emission that covers 650-900 nm mixed with several sharp narrowband R-line emissions, which showed excellent luminescence thermal stability with integrated intensity of emission measured at 573 K is ∼90.86% of that measured at 303 K caused by good structural rigidity and low thermal expansion coefficient of the matrix material. An NIR pc-LED device assembled with the optimized LiAlO2:Cr3+ and a commercially available purple LED chip emitted NIR output power of ∼98.172 mW at a driving current of 300 mA and demonstrated an electro-optical conversion efficiency of ∼9.09%, while demonstrated it has excellent application potential in the fields of night vision monitoring and biomedical imaging.

Thermally stable Cr3+-activated silicate phosphors for plant-growth LEDs and three-mode optical thermometry

The structural, optical and temperature-dependent luminescence properties of Y2Mg2Al2Si2O12:Cr3+ phosphors were investigated for their multifunctional applications. The as-prepared phosphors exhibited an intense far-red emission band around 600-850 nm with a peak at 687 nm, which matches well with the absorption band of plant phytochromes. Importantly, the optimized sample showed excellent thermal stability and its emission intensity at 423 K maintained about 77% of that at 298 K. The potential application of the phosphors in plant-growth LED devices was also demonstrated. Furthermore, owing to the unique thermal quenching behavior of Cr3+, a three-mode luminescent thermometry system was designed based on fluorescent intensity (FL), fluorescent intensity ratio (FIR), and full width at half maximum (FWHM). The maximum temperature relative sensitivity (Sr) of each mode could reach 2.74% K-1, 1.09% K-1, and 1.47% K-1, respectively. These results indicate that the Y2Mg2Al2Si2O12:Cr3+ phosphors have potential applications for plant growth and optical thermometry.

Boltzmann optical thermometry for cryogenics

We propose and implement an optical technique to access the local temperature of an erbium doped crystal by probing the electron spin population under magnetic field. We reliably extract the sample temperature in the range 2-7 K. We additionally discuss the suitability of our method as a primary standard for cryogenic thermometry. By adding an auxiliary heating laser, we are able to measure the interface conductance between the dielectric crystal and the cold plate of the cryostat by exploring different cooling configurations.

Improper Background Treatment Underestimates Thermometric Performance of Rare Earth Vanadate and Phosphovanadate Nanocrystals

Luminescence thermometry is the state-of-the-art technique for remote nanoscale temperature sensing, offering numerous promising cutting-edge applications. Advancing nanothermometry further requires rational design of phosphors and well-defined, comprehensive mathematical treatment of spectral information. However, important questions regarding improper signal processing in ratiometric luminescence thermometry are continuously overlooked in the literature. Here, we demonstrate that systematic errors arising from background/signal superposition impact the calculated thermometric quality parameters of ratiometric thermometers. We designed ultraviolet-excitable (Y,Eu)VO4 and (Y,Eu)(P,V)O4 nanocrystals showing overlapped VO4 3- and Eu3+ emissions to discuss systematically how uncorrected background emissions cause magnified (∼10×) temperature uncertainties and undervalued (∼60%) relative thermal sensitivities. Adequate separation of spectral contributions from the VO4 3- background and the Eu3+ signals via baseline correction is necessary to prevent underestimation of the thermometric performances. The described approach can be potentially extended to other luminescent thermometers to account for signal superposition, thus enabling to circumvent computation of apparent, miscalculated thermometric parameters.

Tunable and highly sensitive fluorescent thermometers from La2CaZrO6:Cr3+ with a time-resolved technology

Non-contact optical temperature measurement can effectively avoid the disadvantages of traditional contact thermometry and thus, become a hot research topic. Herein, a fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) thermometry using a time-resolved technique based on La2CaZrO6:Cr3+ (LCZO) is proposed, with a maximum relative sensitivity (Sr - FIR) of 2.56% K-1 at 473 K and a minimum temperature resolution of 0.099 K. Moreover, the relative sensitivity and temperature resolution can be effectively controlled by adjusting the width of the time gate based on the time-resolved technique. Our work provides, to our knowledge, new viewpoints into the development of novel optical thermometers with adjustable relative sensitivity and temperature resolution on an as-needed basis.

Ultrastrong Electron-Phonon Coupling in Uranium-Organic Frameworks Leading to Inverse Luminescence Temperature Dependence

Electron-phonon interactions, crucial in condensed matter, are rarely seen in Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). Detecting these interactions typically involves analyzing luminescence in lanthanide- or actinide-based compounds. Prior studies on Ln- and Ac-based MOFs at high temperatures revealed additional peaks, but these were too faint for thorough analysis. In our research, we fabricated a high-quality, crystalline uranium-based MOF (KIT-U-1) thin film using a layer-by-layer method. Under UV light, this film showed two distinct "hot bands," indicating a strong electron-phonon interaction. At 77 K, these bands were absent, but at 300 K, a new emission band appeared with half the intensity of the main luminescence. Surprisingly, a second hot band emerged above 320 K, deviating from previous findings in rare-earth compounds. We conducted a detailed ab-initio analysis employing time-dependent density functional theory to understand this unusual behaviour and to identify the lattice vibration responsible for the strong electron-phonon coupling. The KIT-U-1 film's hot-band emission was then utilized to create a highly sensitive, single-compound optical thermometer. This underscores the potential of high-quality MOF thin films in exploiting the unique luminescence of lanthanides and actinides for advanced applications.

Luminescence Thermometry Beyond the Biological Realm

As the field of luminescence thermometry has matured, practical applications of luminescence thermometry techniques have grown in both frequency and scope. Due to the biocompatibility of most luminescent thermometers, many of these applications fall within the realm of biology. However, luminescence thermometry is increasingly employed beyond the biological realm, with expanding applications in areas such as thermal characterization of microelectronics, catalysis, and plasmonics. Here, we review the motivations, methodologies, and advances linked to nonbiological applications of luminescence thermometry. We begin with a brief overview of luminescence thermometry probes and techniques, focusing on those most commonly used for nonbiological applications. We then address measurement capabilities that are particularly relevant for these applications and provide a detailed survey of results across various application categories. Throughout the review, we highlight measurement challenges and requirements that are distinct from those of biological applications. Finally, we discuss emerging areas and future directions that present opportunities for continued research.

Achieving Broadband NIR-I to NIR-II Emission in an All-Inorganic Halide Double-Perovskite Cs2NaYCl6:Cr3+ Phosphor for Night Vision Imaging

Near-infrared phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (NIR pc-LEDs) offer numerous advantages, including compact size, tunable emission spectra, energy efficiency, and high integration potential. These features make them highly promising for various applications, such as night vision monitoring, food safety inspection, biomedical imaging, and theragnostics. All-inorganic halide double-perovskite materials, known for their large absorption cross section, excellent defect tolerance, and long carrier diffusion radius, serve as unique matrices for constructing near-infrared fluorescent materials. In this study, we successfully prepared the all-inorganic metal halide double-perovskite Cs2NaYCl6:Cr3+ using a grinding-sintering method. A small fraction of the [YCl6] octahedra within the host material's lattice was substituted with Cr3+ ions, resulting in the creation of the Cs2NaYCl6:Cr3+ phosphor. When excited with λ = 310 nm UV light, the phosphor exhibited a broad emission range spanning from 800 to 1400 nm, covering the NIR-I and NIR-II regions. It had a broad bandwidth emission of 185 nm and achieved a fluorescence quantum yield of 20.2%. The unique broadband emission of the phosphor originates from the weak crystal field environment provided by the Cs2NaYCl6 host matrix, which enhances the luminescence properties of the Cr3+ ions. To create NIR pc-LEDs, the phosphor was encapsulated onto a commercially available UV LED chip operating at 310 nm. The potential application of these NIR pc-LEDs in night vision imaging was successfully validated.

Effect of the Elaboration Method on Structural and Optical Properties of Zn1.33Ga1.335Sn0.33O4:0.5%Cr3+ Persistent Luminescent Nanomaterials

Near-infrared (NIR) persistent luminescence (PersL) materials have demonstrated promising developments for applications in many advanced fields due to their unique optical properties. Both high-temperature solid-state (SS) or hydrothermal (HT) methods can successfully be used to prepare PersL materials. In this work, Zn1.33Ga1.34Sn0.33O4:0.5%Cr3+ (ZGSO:0.5%Cr3+), a newly proposed nanomaterial for bioimaging, was prepared using SS and HT methods. The results show the crystal structure, morphology and optical properties of the samples that were prepared using both methods. Briefly, the crystallite size of the ZGSO:0.5%Cr3+ prepared using the SS method is ~3 µm, and as expected, is larger than materials prepared using the HT method. However, the growth process used in the hydrothermal environment promotes the formation of ZGSO:0.5%Cr3+ with more uniform shapes and smaller sizes (less than 500 nm). Different diameter ranges of nanoparticles were obtained using HT and ball milling (BM) methods (ranging from 25-50 nm) and by using SS and BM methods (25-200 nm) as well. In addition, the SS-prepared microstructure material has stronger PersL than HT-prepared particles before they go through ball milling to create nanomaterials. On the contrary, after BM treatment, ZGSO:0.5%Cr3+ HT and BM NPs present higher PersL and photoluminescence (PL) properties than ZGSO:0.5%Cr3+ SS and BM NPs, even though both kinds of NPs present worse PersL and PL compared to the original particles before BM. To summarize: preparation methods, whether by SS or HT, with additional grinding as a second step, can have a significant impact on the morphological and luminescent features of ZGSO:0.5%Cr3+ PersL materials.

Near-Infrared LuCa2ScZrGa2GeO12:Cr3+ Garnet Phosphor with Ultra-broadband Emission for NIR LED Applications

Near-infrared phosphor-converted light-emitting diodes (NIR pc-LEDs), as a new generation of NIR lighting sources, have wide prospects in the areas of food analysis and biological and night vision imaging. Nevertheless, NIR phosphors are still limited by short-wave and narrowband emissions as well as low efficiency. Herein, a series of NIR phosphors, LuCa₂ScZrGa₂GeO₁₂:Cr³⁺ (LCSZGG:Cr³⁺), with broadband emissions have been developed and first reported. At 456 nm excitation, the optimized LCSZGG:0.005Cr³⁺ phosphor represents an ultra-broadband emission within the range of 650-1100 nm, peaking near 815 nm with a full width at half maximum of 166 nm. Furthermore, the LCSZGG:0.005Cr³⁺ phosphor possesses good internal quantum efficiency of 68.75%, and its integrated emission intensity at 423 K still retains about 64.17% of that at room temperature. By combining the optimized sample with a blue chip, a NIR pc-LED device is fabricated, which has an excellent NIR output power of 37.88 mW with an NIR photoelectric conversion efficiency of 12.44% under a 100 mA driving current. The aforementioned results demonstrate that these LCSZGG:Cr³⁺ broadband NIR phosphors are expected as NIR light sources.

Targeted high-precision up-converting thermometer platform over multiple temperature zones with Er3

Ratiometric luminescence thermometry based on trivalent erbium ions is a noninvasive remote sensing technique with high spatial and temporal resolution. The thermal coupling between two adjacent energy levels follows the Boltzmann statistics, whose effective range is related to the energy gap between the multi-excited states. However, the limitations of different thermally coupled levels (TCLs) in Er-based thermometers are rarely mentioned. Here, a type of targeted high-precision luminescence thermometer was designed using a lead-free double perovskite platform by selecting multiple TCLs of the Er³⁺ ion. According to the selection of different TCLs in a single system platform, more precise temperature resolution can be obtained in different temperature regions from 100 K to almost 880 K. This work provides a quantitative guideline that may pave the way for the development of the next generation of temperature sensor based on trivalent erbium ions.

Effect of Sr2+ ions on the structure, up-conversion emission and thermal sensing of Er3+, Yb3+ co-doped double perovskite Ba(2-x)SrxMgWO6 phosphors

Investigating the effect of different phases on the optical performance is crucial for thermal sensing phosphor materials. Ba_(2-x)Sr_xMgWO₆:Er³⁺, Yb³⁺, K⁺ double perovskite phosphors were successfully prepared using a high-temperature solid-phase method. The dominant up-conversion luminescent (UCL) mechanism was deduced by analyzing the power-dependence spectra and energy level diagrams. By X-ray diffraction tests and tolerance factor calculations, it was demonstrated that the substitution of Sr²⁺ ions for Ba²⁺ ions led to the phase changing from cubic to tetragonal. The phase transition led to a decrease in the crystallographic symmetry of the compounds and changes in the optical thermometric properties. The optical temperature sensing properties were investigated using the fluorescence intensity ratio of thermally coupled energy levels (²H_11/2 and ⁴S_3/2 to the ground state energy level ⁴I_15/2) of Er³⁺ ions in Ba₂MgWO₆, BaSrMgWO₆ and Sr₂MgWO₆. The maximum absolute sensitivities obtained for Ba₂MgWO₆, BaSrMgWO₆ and Sr₂MgWO₆ doped with 7% Er³⁺, 2% Yb³⁺ and 9% K⁺ were 6.77 × 10^-4 K^-1, 10.09 × 10^-4 K^-1 and 23.4 × 10^-4 K^-1, respectively. The comparison revealed that the phase transition caused an increase in the luminescence intensity and absolute sensitivity. This provides a useful pathway for modulating the subsequent thermometric performance.

Self-optimized single-nanowire photoluminescence thermometry

Nanomaterials-based photoluminescence thermometry (PLT) is a new contact-free photonic approach for temperature sensing, important for applications ranging from quantum technology to biomedical imaging and diagnostics. Even though numerous new materials have been explored, great challenges and deficiencies remain that hamper many applications. In contrast to most of the existing approaches that use large ensembles of rare-earth-doped nanomaterials with large volumes and unavoidable inhomogeneity, we demonstrate the ultimate size reduction and simplicity of PLT by using only a single erbium-chloride-silicate (ECS) nanowire. Importantly, we propose and demonstrate a novel strategy that contains a self-optimization or "smart" procedure to automatically identify the best PL intensity ratio for temperature sensing. The automated procedure is used to self-optimize key sensing metrics, such as sensitivity, precision, or resolution to achieve an all-around superior PLT including several record-setting metrics including the first sensitivity exceeding 100% K^-1 (~138% K^-1), the highest resolution of 0.01 K, and the largest range of sensible temperatures 4-500 K operating completely within 1500-1800 nm (an important biological window). The high-quality ECS nanowire enables the use of well-resolved Stark-sublevels to construct a series of PL intensity ratios for optimization in infrared, allowing the completely Boltzmann-based sensing at cryogenic temperature for the first time. Our single-nanowire PLT and the proposed optimization strategy overcome many existing challenges and could fundamentally impact PL nano-thermometry and related applications such as single-cell thermometry.

Ultra-sensitive luminescence ratiometric thermometry from 2E→4A2 transitions of AlTaO4:Cr3

In recent years, non-contact ratiometric luminescence thermometry has continued to gain popularity among researchers, owing to its compelling features, such as high accuracy, fast response, and convenience. The development of novel optical thermometry with ultrahigh relative sensitivity (Sr) and temperature resolution has become a frontier topic. In this work, we present a novel, to the best of our knowldege, luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) thermometry method that relies on AlTaO₄:Cr³⁺ materials, based on the fact that they possess both anti-Stokes phonon sideband emission and R-line emission at the ²E→⁴A₂ transitions and have been confirmed to follow the Boltzmann distribution. In the temperature range 40-250 K, the emission band of the anti-Stokes phonon sideband shows an upward trend, while the bands of the R-lines show the opposite downward trend. Relying on this fascinating feature, the newly proposed LIR thermometry achieves a maximum relative sensitivity of 8.45%K^-1 and a temperature resolution of 0.038 K. Our work is expected to provide guiding insights for optimizing the sensitivity of Cr³⁺-based LIR thermometers and provide some novel entry points for designing excellent and reliable optical thermometers.

Ratiometric thermometry using single Er3+-doped CaWO4phosphors

Single doped CaWO₄:Er³⁺phosphors were synthesized and studied for application of optical thermal sensing within a wide range of 98-773 K. Ratiometric strategy utilizing two luminescence intensity ratios, one between host and Er³⁺band (LIR₁) and second between different Er³⁺transitions (LIR₂), results in self-referencing temperature readouts. The presence of two temperature-dependent parameters could improve thermometric characteristics and broaden the working temperature range compared to a usual single-parameter thermometer. Thermometric performances of prepared samples were evaluated in terms of thermal sensitivities, temperature resolution and repeatability. The highest sensitivity of 2.09% K^-1@300 K was found for LIR₁, whereas LIR₂provided more accurate thermal sensing with a temperature resolution of 0.06-0.1 K. Effect of Er³⁺doping concentration on sensing properties were studied. The presented findings indicate that CaWO₄:Er³⁺phosphors are perspective in dual-mode thermal sensing with high sensitivity and sub-degree resolution.

Optical heating and luminescence thermometry combined in a Cr3+-doped YAl3(BO3)4

The possibility of optical heating with simultaneous control of the generated light within a single phosphor is particularly attractive from the perspective of multiple applications. This motivates the search for new solutions to enable efficient optical heating. In response to these requirements, based on the high absorption cross-section of Cr³⁺ ions, the optical heater based on YAl₃(BO₃)₄:Cr³⁺ exhibiting highly efficient heating is developed. At the same time, the emission intensity ratio of ²E_(g) → ⁴A_2(g) and ⁴T_2(g) → ⁴A_2(g) of Cr³⁺ bands, thanks to the monotonic temperature dependence, enables remote temperature readout of the phosphor using luminescence thermometry technique. The combination of these two functionalities within a single phosphor makes YAl₃(BO₃)₄:Cr³⁺ a promising, self thermally controlled photothermal agent.

Charge Transfer-Triggered Bi3+ Near-Infrared Emission in Y2Ti2O7 for Dual-Mode Temperature Sensing

Trivalent bismuth is a popular main group ion showing versatile luminescent behaviors in a broad spectral range from ultraviolet to visible, but barely in the near-infrared (NIR) region. In this study, we have observed unexpected NIR emission at ∼744 nm in a Bi³⁺-doped pyrochlore, Y₂Ti₂O₇ (YTOB). Our first-principles electronic structure calculation and analysis of the Bi local structure via extended X-ray absorption fine structure indicate that only Bi³⁺ species appears in YTOB and it has a similar local environment to that of Y³⁺. The NIR emission is assigned to a Ti⁴⁺ → Bi³⁺ metal-to-metal charge transfer process. Moreover, we have demonstrated dual-mode luminescence thermometry based on the luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) and lifetime (τ) in 0.5% Bi³⁺ and 0.5% Pr³⁺ co-doped Y₂Ti₂O₇ (YTOB0.5P0.5). It exhibits high thermometric sensitivity simultaneously in the cryogenic temperature range from 78 to 298 K based on τ of the NIR emission of Bi³⁺ at 748 nm and in the temperature range of 278-378 K based on the LIR of Bi³⁺ to Pr³⁺ emissions (I₇₄₈/I₆₁₅). As a novel LIR-τ dual-mode thermometric material over a wide temperature range, the maximum relative sensitivities of the YTOB0.5P0.5 reach 3.53% K^-1 at 298 K from the τ mode and 3.52% K^-1 at 318 K based on the LIR mode. The dual-mode luminescence thermometry with high responsivity from our Bi³⁺-based pyrochlore Y₂Ti₂O₇ phosphor opens a new avenue for more luminescent materials toward multi-mode thermometry applied in complex temperature-sensing conditions.

Garnet-structured persistent luminescence phosphor Ca3Al2Ge3O12:Cr3+ for dynamic anticounterfeiting applications

Fluorescent materials have gradually become a hot spot in the field of anti-counterfeiting. Multifunctional phosphors used in anti-counterfeiting designs still have the problems of disordered reading sequences, difficulty in detection, and easy forging. To resolve these problems, we propose a new flexible dual-mode anti-counterfeiting design using a series of phosphors Ca₃Al₂Ge₃O₁₂:Cr³⁺ (CAG) with deep red persistent luminescence peaking at 722 nm. By adjusting the doping concentration of Cr³⁺ from 2% to 6%, deep red persistent luminescence with different afterglow intensities and durations can be achieved. By performing a series of thermoluminescence (TL) experiments under different conditions, the defects in materials were comprehensively and systematically analyzed. The defects contributed to the deep and shallow traps; this led to an obvious improvement in its long persistent luminescence (LPL). Such a dual-mode system with flexibility and simplicity properties is a good choice not only for anti-counterfeiting, but also for multi-layer information encryption, and a series of demo experiments based on the digital tube, Moss code, QR code, bar-code, school celebration pattern, and love letter information encryption design were implemented. Their dynamic anti-counterfeiting applications have been demonstrated, which provides a new way to rationally design multi-functional luminescent materials.

Near-Infrared Broadband ZnTa2O6:Cr3+ Phosphor for pc-LEDs and Its Application to Nondestructive Testing

Broadband near-infrared (NIR) phosphors are necessary materials for developing portable NIR light sources. Moreover, exploiting an NIR phosphor with a main peak located beyond a wavelength of 900 nm remains a challenge because this spectral range has great potential in biological nondestructive testing and solution testing. In this study, a range of Cr³⁺-doped ZnTa₂O₆ (ZTO) phosphors were completely synthesized by a solid-state method, which show broadband Cr³⁺ emission centered at 935 nm with a large full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 185 nm due to two distorted octahedral sites. A packaged phosphor-converted light-emitting diode (pc-LED) device is used to penetrate a 5-cm-thick chicken breast and identify diverse solutions based on differences in the measured transmission spectra. The results indicate broad application prospects in the field of biological tissue penetration and solution analysis.

An Er3+ doped Ba2MgWO6 double perovskite: a phosphor for low-temperature thermometry

A bifunctional luminescent material is one of the most intriguing topics in recent years with significant growth in the number of investigations. Herein, we report the potential of Ba₂MgWO₆ doped with Er³⁺ as a candidate for white-light emitting phosphor and noncontact luminescent thermometry. The synthesis of the samples was carried out by the co-precipitation method. The influence of the dopant concentration on the emission intensity, as well as the capability of temperature readout, was investigated for the first time. The highest emission intensity exhibits a sample comprising 4% Er³⁺; above it, the concentration quenching process by the dipole-dipole interaction occurs. However, high quality white light generates Ba₂MgWO₆ with 0.5% of Er³⁺ due to the coexistence of the host and erbium ion emission with a CIE of (0.30, 0.35). To construct a non-contact luminescent thermometer based on Er³⁺, the ratio of the emission from ⁴I_11/2 → ⁴I_15/2 to the host emission was examined. The highest sensitivity S_r of the obtained luminescent thermometers was 2.78% K^-1 at 198 K. The repeatability of the calculated results and the uncertainty δT of the temperature readout were investigated.

Blue LED-pumped intense short-wave infrared luminescence based on Cr3+-Yb3+-co-doped phosphors

The growing demand for spectroscopy applications in the areas of agriculture, retail and healthcare has led to extensive research on infrared light sources. The ability of phosphors to absorb blue light from commercial LED and convert the excitation energy into long-wavelength infrared luminescence is crucial for the design of cost-effective and high-performance phosphor-converted infrared LEDs. However, the lack of ideal blue-pumped short-wave infrared (SWIR) phosphors with an emission peak longer than 900 nm greatly limits the development of SWIR LEDs using light converter technology. Here we have developed a series of SWIR-emitting materials with high luminescence efficiency and excellent thermal stability by co-doping Cr³⁺-Yb³⁺ ion pairs into Lu_0.2Sc_0.8BO₃ host materials. Benefitting from strong light absorption of Cr³⁺ in the blue waveband and very efficient Cr³⁺→Yb³⁺ energy transfer, the as-synthesized Lu_0.2Sc_0.8BO₃:Cr³⁺,Yb³⁺ phosphor emits intense SWIR light in the 900-1200 nm from Yb³⁺ under excitation with blue light at ~460 nm. The optimized phosphor presents an internal quantum yield of 73.6% and the SWIR luminescence intensity at 100 °C can still keep 88.4% of the starting value at 25 °C. SWIR LED prototype device based on Lu_0.2Sc_0.8BO₃:Cr³⁺,Yb³⁺ phosphor exhibits exceptional luminescence performance, delivering SWIR radiant power of 18.4 mW with 9.3% of blue-to-SWIR power conversion efficiency and 5.0% of electricity-to-SWIR light energy conversion efficiency at 120 mA driving current. Moreover, under the illumination of high-power SWIR LED, covert information identification and night vision lighting have been realized, demonstrating a very bright prospect for practical applications.

Chromium(III)-Doped Phosphors of High-Efficiency Two-Site Occupation Broadband Infrared Emission for Vessel Visualization Applications

The exploration of efficient broadband near-infrared (NIR) emitting materials is essential to establishing new NIR applications. In this work, an excellent NIR phosphor Mg₇Ga₂GeO₁₂:Cr³⁺, with an emission band of 650-1350 nm and a full width at half maximum of 266 nm, was successfully prepared. When Ga³⁺ ions were replaced by In³⁺ ions, its emission intensity increased 4 times, and the internal and external quantum efficiency reached 86 and 37%, respectively. A NIR phosphor-converted light-emitting diode (pc-LED) component was made by combining a synthetic Mg₇Ga_1.84In_0.07GeO₁₂:0.09Cr³⁺ phosphor with a 450 nm blue luminescent chip. The vascular and skeletal distribution on human fingers and the back of the hand can be seen under the display of a commercial NIR camera, indicating that Mg₇Ga_1.84In_0.07GeO₁₂:0.09Cr³⁺ phosphors have promising applications in the field of the blood vessel and bone visualization.

Design and tuning Cr3+-doped near-infrared phosphors for multifunctional applications via crystal field engineering

Nowadays, near-infrared (NIR)-emitting luminescence materials with broad application prospects have drawn great attention. SrGa₁₂O₁₉:Cr³⁺ is a new type of solid light source material that emits NIR light with wide application prospects. However, the narrow full width at half maximum (FWHM) restricts its further multifunctional applications. Therefore, we propose a novel methodology to increase the FWHM by artificially adjusting the strength of the crystal field by doping Sc³⁺ ions. By employing Rietveld refinement results, parameters evolution and Raman spectra, Sc³⁺ ions are proved to successfully occupy the Ga³⁺ crystallographic sites. Combining the spectroscopy characteristics, it was confirmed that the FWHM was increased from 78 nm (127 977 cm^-1) to 104 nm (96 739 cm^-1) with the optimum quantum efficiency of 96.55%. In addition, the excellent thermal stability and unprecedented suitability to a 450 nm blue-chip indicate that it is a potential luminescent material candidate for fluorescence conversion NIR light-emitting diode (LED). Finally, the successful implementation of the night vision on vegetation, biological imaging of human tissue and food inspection for different pork portions illustrate the strong commonality of the method.

Dual-center co-doped and mixed ratiometric LuVO4:Nd3+/Yb3+nanothermometers

During last decade luminescence thermometry has become a widely studied research field due to its potential applications for real time contactless temperature sensing where usual thermometers cannot be used. Special attention is paid to the development of accurate and reliable thermal sensors with simple reading. To address existing problems of ratiometric thermometers based on thermally-coupled levels, LuVO₄:Nd³⁺/Yb³⁺thermal sensors were studied as a proof-of-concept of dual-center thermometer obtained by co-doping or mixture. Both approaches to create a dual-center sensor were compared in terms of energy transfer efficiency, relative sensitivity, and temperature resolution. Effect of excitation mechanism and Yb³⁺doping concentration on thermometric performances was also investigated. The best characteristics ofS_r = 0.34% K^-1@298 K and ΔT = 0.2 K were obtained for mixed phosphors upon host excitation.

Enhancing the Upconversion Luminescence and Sensitivity of Nanothermometry through Advanced Design of Dumbbell-Shaped Structured Nanoparticles

The core-shell engineering of lanthanide-doped nanoparticles has captured considerable attention because it can safeguard the luminescence intensity of the core by reducing surface defects. However, the limited surface area of the traditional spherical core-shell structure hinders the further breakthrough of the brightness. Herein, a unique NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/RE³⁺@NaYF₄:Yb³⁺/RE³⁺@NaNdF₄:Yb³⁺ (RE³⁺ = Ho³⁺ or Er³⁺) dumbbell-shaped multilayer nanoparticle featuring a high surface area is reported. Its upconversion luminescence intensity is higher than that of the conventional spherical core-shell structure. A thorough investigation is performed on the luminescence and thermometric mechanisms of Ho³⁺/Er³⁺ distributed in the core and the first shell. Remarkably, when Ho³⁺/Er³⁺ ions are distributed in the first shell, the relative sensitivity of the biological luminescence nanothermometer composed of downshifting near-infrared emissions is increased to 2.543% K^-1 (328 K), which considerably exceeds most reported values. The increased value is attributed to the more thermal-sensitive phonon-assisted energy transfer. For potential biological applications, dumbbell-shaped nanoparticles (DSNPs) with hydrophilic modification show excellent thermometric performance and high tissue penetration depth. Overall, the insights provided by this work will broaden the scope of novel DSNPs in the fields of luminescence and nanothermometry.

One ion to catch them all: Targeted high-precision Boltzmann thermometry over a wide temperature range with Gd3

Ratiometric luminescence thermometry with trivalent lanthanide ions and their 4fn energy levels is an emerging technique for non-invasive remote temperature sensing with high spatial and temporal resolution. Conventional ratiometric luminescence thermometry often relies on thermal coupling between two closely lying energy levels governed by Boltzmann's law. Despite its simplicity, Boltzmann thermometry with two excited levels allows precise temperature sensing, but only within a limited temperature range. While low temperatures slow down the nonradiative transitions required to generate a measurable population in the higher excitation level, temperatures that are too high favour equalized populations of the two excited levels, at the expense of low relative thermal sensitivity. In this work, we extend the concept of Boltzmann thermometry to more than two excited levels and provide quantitative guidelines that link the choice of energy gaps between multiple excited states to the performance in different temperature windows. By this approach, it is possible to retain the high relative sensitivity and precision of the temperature measurement over a wide temperature range within the same system. We demonstrate this concept using YAl3(BO3)4 (YAB):Pr3+, Gd3+ with an excited 6PJ crystal field and spin-orbit split levels of Gd3+ in the UV range to avoid a thermal black body background even at the highest temperatures. This phosphor is easily excitable with inexpensive and powerful blue LEDs at 450 nm. Zero-background luminescence thermometry is realized by using blue-to-UV energy transfer upconversion with the Pr3+-Gd3+ couple upon excitation in the visible range. This method allows us to cover a temperature window between 30 and 800 K.

Investigation on the upconversion luminescence and ratiometric thermal sensing of SrWO4:Yb3+/RE3+ (RE = Ho/Er) phosphors

SrWO₄ phosphors doped with Ho³⁺(Er³⁺)/Yb³⁺ are successfully prepared by a high temperature solid-state reaction method. The upconversion (UC) luminescence properties of all the samples have been investigated under 980 nm excitation. Strong green emissions are obtained in the SrWO₄:Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ and SrWO₄:Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ samples with the naked eyes. In a temperature range going from 303 K to 573 K, the UC emission spectra of the phosphors have been measured. Then the temperature sensing properties also have been discussed via fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technology. For the SrWO₄:Yb³⁺/Ho³⁺ phosphor, the FIR technologies based on thermal coupling levels (TCLs)(⁵F₄,⁵F₅) and non-thermal coupling levels (non-TCLs)(⁵S₂, ⁵F₄/⁵F₅) are used for investigating the sensitivity. The results show that the maximum absolute sensitivity reaches 0.0158 K⁻¹ with non-TCLs. As for Yb³⁺/Er³⁺ codoped SrWO₄ phosphor, the maximum absolute sensitivity reaches 0.013 K⁻¹ with TCLs (²H_11/2,⁴S_5/2) at a temperature of 513 K. These significant results demonstrate that the SrWO₄:Ho³⁺(Er³⁺)/Yb³⁺ phosphors are robust for optical temperature sensors.

SrWO₄ phosphors doped with Ho³⁺(Er³⁺)/Yb³⁺ are successfully prepared by a high temperature solid-state reaction method.

Al2O3 co-doped with Cr3+ and Mn4+, a dual-emitter probe for multimodal non-contact luminescence thermometry

Luminescence probes that facilitate multimodal non-contact measurements of temperature are of particular interest due to the possibility of cross-referencing results across different readout techniques. This intrinsic referencing is an essential addition that enhances accuracy and reliability of the technique. A further enhancement of sensor performance can be achieved by using two luminescent ions acting as independent emitters, thereby adding in-built redundancy to non-contact temperature sensing, using a single readout technique. In this study we combine both approaches by engineering a material with two luminescent ions that can be independently probed through different readout modes of non-contact temperature sensing. The approach was tested using Al₂O₃ co-doped with Cr³⁺ and Mn⁴⁺, exhibiting sharp emission lines due to ²E → ⁴A₂ transitions. The temperature sensing performance was examined by measuring three characteristics: temperature-induced changes of the intensity ratio of the emission lines, their spectral position, and the luminescence decay time constant. The processes responsible for the changes with temperature of the measured luminescence characteristics are discussed in terms of relevant models. By comparing temperature resolutions achievable by different modes of temperature sensing it is established that in Al₂O₃-Cr,Mn spectroscopic methods provide the best measurement accuracy over a broad temperature range. A temperature resolution better than ±2.8 K can be achieved by monitoring the luminescence intensity ratio (40-145 K) and the spectral shift of the R-line of Mn⁴⁺ (145-300 K range).

A highly sensitive ratiometric optical cryothermometer using a new broadband emitting trivalent bismuth singly activated Ba2ZnSc(BO3)3 microcrystal

Motivated by the growing demand for noncontact temperature sensing in cryogenic environments, the development of a high performance low temperature optical thermometer has become more and more urgent. Herein, we demonstrate a new broadband emitting bismuth singly activated Ba₂ZnSc(BO₃)₃ optical thermometric material that exhibits a remarkable temperature-dependent emission color variation and a good low temperature sensing performance. First, Bi³⁺ doped Ba₂ZnSc(BO₃)₃ phosphors were successfully synthesized by a high-temperature solid-state reaction. Upon excitation at 320 nm, the emission spectra of Ba₂ZnSc(BO₃)₃:Bi³⁺ cover almost the entire visible region from 350 to 720 nm because of the multiple crystallographic sites occupied by Bi³⁺ ions, which have been verified by structure analysis and time-resolved emission spectroscopy. Interestingly, the temperature dependent emission characteristics indicated that the thermal quenching phenomena of Bi³⁺ at different lattice sites were different, resulting in a very sensitive emission color variation from orange to cyan. Further analysis indicated that these Bi³⁺ doped luminescent materials showed a good performance in temperature sensing over a wide temperature range from 10 to 374 K, with a maximum relative sensitivity of 3.076% K^-1 at 210 K. Finally, this study provides a new perspective for the design of superior thermosensitive phosphors, aimed toward non-rare earth ion doped thermosensitive phosphors for optical cryothermometry applications.

High-sensitivity and wide-temperature-range dual-mode optical thermometry under dual-wavelength excitation in a novel double perovskite tellurate oxide

Novel double perovskite SrLaLiTeO₆ (abbreviated as SLLT):Mn⁴⁺,Dy³⁺ phosphors synthesized using a solid-state reaction strategy exhibit distinct dual-emission of Mn⁴⁺ and Dy³⁺. High-sensitivity and wide-temperature-range dual-mode optical thermometry was exploited taking advantage of the diverse thermal quenching between Mn⁴⁺ and Dy³⁺ and the decay lifetime of Mn⁴⁺. The thermometric properties in the range of 298-673 K were investigated by utilizing the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) of Dy³⁺ (⁴F_9/2→⁶H_13/2)/Mn⁴⁺ (²E_g→⁴A_2g) and the Mn⁴⁺ (²E_g→⁴A_2g) lifetime under 351 nm and 453 nm excitation, respectively. The maximum relative sensitivities (S_R) of the resultant SLLT:1.2%Mn⁴⁺,7%Dy³⁺ phosphor under 351 nm and 453 nm excitation employing the FIR technology were determined to be 1.60% K^-1 at 673 K and 1.44% K^-1 at 673 K, respectively. Additionally, the maximum S_R values based on the lifetime-mode were 1.59% K^-1 at 673 K and 2.18% K^-1 at 673 K, respectively. It is noteworthy that the S_R values can be manipulated by different excitation wavelengths and multi-modal optical thermometry. These results suggest that the SLLT:Mn⁴⁺,Dy³⁺ phosphor has prospective potential in optical thermometry and provide conducive guidance for designing high-sensitivity multi-modal optical thermometers.

Design of opposite thermal behaviors in Tm3+/Eu3+ co-doped YVO4 for high-sensitivity optical thermometry

Temperature-induced redshift of the V-O charge transfer band edge and the temperature quenching effect were combined for designing ratiometric optical thermometry. Following this approach, opposite thermal behaviors of Tm³⁺ and Eu³⁺ emissions were realized in the range of 300 to 380 K in Tm³⁺/Eu³⁺ co-doped YVO₄. Applying the temperature dependent fluorescence intensity ratio of Eu³⁺ to Tm³⁺ as temperature readout, the maximal relative sensitivity reaches up to 4.6%K^-1 around 330 K. This result makes our proposed strategy an excellent candidate for developing high-sensitivity optical thermometry.

Blue-emitting single band ratiometric luminescent thermometry based on LaF3:Pr3+

Blue-emitting single band ratiometric luminescent thermometer based on Pr³⁺ emission.

Multi-site Cr3+ occupation-related broadband NIR luminescence in Cr3+-doped Li3Mg2NbO6

Broadband NIR luminescence from the Li3Mg2NbO6:Cr3+ phosphor is related to the multi-site occupation behavior of Cr3+.