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.