Intense NIR emissions at 0.8 μm, 1.47 μm, and 1.53 μm from colloidal LiYbF4:Ln3+ (Ln = Tm3+ and Er3+) nanocrystals†
Abstract
We report on the synthesis of diamond shaped Ln3+-doped LiYbF4 (Ln = Tm and Er) nanocrystals with flat edges via the thermal decomposition method. Strong near-infrared emissions at 0.8 μm, 1.47 μm and 1.53 μm are observed from colloidal dispersions of Tm3+-doped and Er3+-doped LiYbF4 nanocrystals, respectively, under 0.98 μm diode laser excitation. The NIR emission intensities for Tm3+-doped and Er3+-doped LiYbF4 nanocrystals are comparable with those of the sodium counterpart NaYbF4, suggesting that LiYbF4 is also an excellent host matrix for lanthanide ions to obtain strong NIR emissions in colloidal solutions of LiYbF4 (Tm3+ or Er3+) nanocrystals.