Issue 27, 2016

Lanthanide upconversion luminescence at the nanoscale: fundamentals and optical properties

Abstract

Upconversion photoluminescence is a nonlinear effect where multiple lower energy excitation photons produce higher energy emission photons. This fundamentally interesting process has many applications in biomedical imaging, light source and display technology, and solar energy harvesting. In this review we discuss the underlying physical principles and their modelling using rate equations. We discuss how the understanding of photophysical processes enabled a strategic influence over the optical properties of upconversion especially in rationally designed materials. We subsequently present an overview of recent experimental strategies to control and optimize the optical properties of upconversion nanoparticles, focussing on their emission spectral properties and brightness.

Graphical abstract: Lanthanide upconversion luminescence at the nanoscale: fundamentals and optical properties

Article information

Article type
Review Article
Submitted
09 Dec. 2015
Accepted
25 Febr. 2016
First published
26 Febr. 2016

Nanoscale, 2016,8, 13099-13130

Lanthanide upconversion luminescence at the nanoscale: fundamentals and optical properties

A. Nadort, J. Zhao and E. M. Goldys, Nanoscale, 2016, 8, 13099 DOI: 10.1039/C5NR08477F

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