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Rare-earth ion-doped upconversion (UC) micro/nanoparticles (UCM/NPs) could enable the conversion of near-infrared photons to high-energy emissions in the visible and ultraviolet regions. This unique property makes UCM/NPs highly attractive for applications in diverse fields, including materials science, photophysics, and biomedicine. However, ensemble spectroscopy ignores the heterogeneity in terms of size, shape, defects, surface groups, and charges of single UCM/NPs. Recently, the rapid development of single-particle spectroscopic techniques results in a gradual shift in the investigation of UC materials to heterogeneous nanoscale structures, unique photophysical phenomena, and advanced applications of single UCM/NPs, and the optical performance of a single UCM/NP has become a central topic in the community of UC materials. In this Perspective paper, we outline the characterization methods of a single UCM/NP and provide an overview of recent and on-going progress in investigations on single UCM/NPs, with a focus on their spectroscopic properties and applications in the polarization, waveguide, micro/nano-laser, super-resolution nanoscopy, and nanobarcode. Finally, current challenges and perspectives in this field are highlighted for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Research describing analysis of optical poling techniques applied to polymethylacrylate films is presented. In particular phase matched second harmonic generation is demonstrated.

Faraday effect measurements were conducted at room temperature on sodium borate glasses with Eu2+ ions developed under a reducing atmosphere. A theory for determining the effective transition wavelength which causes the Faraday effect was employed to examine the wavelength dependence of the Verdet constant. The Verdet constant's magnitude was found to rise with growth of the effective transition wavelength when the EuO's concentration is constant.

Sulfide glasses of 50GaS(sub 3/2).20GeS(sub 2).20LaS(sub 3/2).10LnS(sub n/2) (Ln=rare earth ions, n=2 for Eu and 3 for other ions) are produced and the wavelength dispersions in the Faraday effect of the glasses are analyzed. Glasses with LaS3/2 and YS3/2 have positive Verdet constants in the wavelength region from 550 to 850 nm and the magnitude of the Verdet constants decreases with increasing wavelength. In contrast, the Verdet constants of glasses with Eu2+ and Ce3+ are negative and the absolute magnitude of the Verdet constants decreases with increasing wavelength.

Enhanced broadband near-infrared luminescence has been observed in Bi-doped oxyfluoride glasses excited from UV to near-infrared regions with the addition of AgCl. Enhancement factors depend greatly on excitation wavelength and maximal enhancement factor over three times occurs at the excitation wavelength around 320, 640, and 800 nm. Ag species play dual functions. The mechanism of the enhancement is discussed in depth combing the energy transfer from Ag+, molecular-like, nonplasmonic Ag species, Bi3+ and Bi2+ to near-infrared bismuth active centers, and the redox reaction of Bi species with Ag species. These results offer a valuable way to enhance the near-infrared luminescence efficiency of Bi-doped glasses, and the dual functions of Ag species may also be employed to enhance luminescence of rare-earth and transition metal ions doped materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here, we present three facile approaches to achieve wavelength tunable luminescence in the same host material with single dopant, i.e., by modulating doping level, preparation temperature, and atmosphere. Based on these methods, ultra-broadband tunable near-infrared luminescence with the largest full width at half maximum of about 500 nm covering the whole windows of optical communication has been obtained in bismuth-doped germanate glasses. Wavelength tunable luminescence is also observed with the change of excitation wavelength. Systematical strategy was followed to approach the physical origin of the near-infrared luminescence and we proposed that three different bismuth active centers contribute to the near-infrared luminescence in the germanate glasses. A comprehensive explanation for the tunable luminescence is given, combining the concentration, energy transfer, and chemical equilibrium of these active centers in the glasses. With the increase of melting temperatures and the increase of reducing extent of the preparation atmosphere, bismuth species transform from Bi3+ to Bi2+, Bi+, Bi0 and bismuth clusters, and then to bismuth colloid. Of particular interest is that red tunable luminescence was also observed by modulating doping level, preparation atmosphere, and excitation wavelength. Besides, the trapped-electron centers in germanate glasses can interact with bismuth species of high valence states leading to the formation of bismuth active centers of low valence states and the decrease of trapped-electron centers. This tunable ultra-broadband luminescence is helpful for a better understanding of the origin of the near-infrared luminescence in Bi-doped glasses and may have potential applications in varieties of optical devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work discusses the response of Na to both high-energy electrons and femtosecond-laser (fs-laser) pulses in the soda-lime glass. The evidence for different responses of Na to high-energy electron irradiation between glasses with and without fs-laser irradiation suggests that the chemical and/or physical states of Na in the fs-laser irradiated glass are different from those in the original glass. Fs-laser pulses in the glass may be able to neutralize Na, which may form clusters. These results suggest that close attention should be paid to the defects associated with Na when optical or physical data are interpreted in fs-laser irradiated Na glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tm3+ doped and Tm3+/Yb3+ codoped lanthanum aluminum germanate (LAG) glasses are prepared by melt-quenching method and characterized optically. Based on the measurement of absorption spectrum, Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω2,Ω4,Ω6) are calculated. The radiation emission rates, branching ratios, and lifetimes of Tm3+ are calculated to evaluate the spectroscopic properties of Tm3+ in LAG glass. The infrared emission properties of the samples are investigated and the results show that the 1.8 μm emission can be greatly enhanced by adding proper amount of Yb3+ under the excitation of 980 nm. The energy transfer processes of Yb3+–Yb3+ and Yb3+–Tm3+ are analyzed, and the results show that Yb3+ ions can transfer their energy to Tm3+ ions with high efficiency and large energy transfer coefficient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ho3+/Yb3+ codoped lanthanum aluminum germanate glasses are prepared simply by melt-quenching method. The 2 μm emission characteristic and energy transfer from Yb3+ to Ho3+ upon excitation of a conventional 980 nm laser diode is investigated and the energy transfer efficiency is as high as 83%. The spectroscopic parameters are calculated based on Judd–Ofelt (J-O) theory, the intensity parameters Ω2, Ω4, and Ω6 are 4.44, 1.92, and 1.11×10-20 cm2, respectively. The transition probabilities and branching ratios are also estimated by using the J-O parameters. Beer–Lambert and Fuchtbauer–Ladenburg theories are applied to calculate the absorption, emission, and gain cross sections of 5I7→5I8 transition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we report on spectroscopic studies of Cr3+/Ni2+ codoped transparent glass ceramics containing β-Ga2O3 nanocrystals. Energy transfer between Cr3+ and Ni2+ in the Cr3+/Ni2+ codoped glass ceramics has been investigated by steady state emission spectra, time-resolved emission spectra, and excitation spectra. The nonradiative energy transfer has been confirmed from the decrease in the Cr3+ fluorescence lifetime after Ni2+ codoping. The energy transfer efficiency is estimated and the energy transfer mechanism is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We demonstrated the conversion of near-ultraviolet radiation of 250–350 nm into visible emission of 450–600 nm and near-infrared emission of 970–1100 nm in the Yb2O3 doped transparent 40SrO-20TiO2-40SiO2 glasses. The observed broad visible emission band centered at 510 nm is associated with silicon-oxygen-related defects in the glassy matrix, and the near-infrared emission originated from the Yb3+ 2F5/2→2F7/2 transition is due to the energy transfer from silicon-oxygen-related defects to Yb3+. The energy transfer process was studied by both the steady state spectra and the time-resolved spectra of Yb3+ at 15 K. The temperature dependent energy transfer rate was calculated. The Yb2O3 concentration dependent energy transfer efficiency has also been evaluated, and the maximum value is 56% for 12 mol % Yb2O3 doped glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bi, Ga, and Al codoped germanium glass was prepared and its optical properties were investigated by absorption, photoluminescence excitation (PLE), and photoluminescence spectra. Two active centers which occupy strong and weak crystal field environment are identified by using the PLE spectrum. The tunable and ultrabroadband luminescence properties are originated from electron transitions of these two active centers. Internal optical gain around 1300 and 1560 nm has been detected. The wavelength-dependent internal gains excited with 808 and 980 nm laser diodes show different characteristics, and the relative flat optical amplification can be realized by choosing 980 nm pumping. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transparent Ni2+-doped MgO–Al2O3–TiO2–SiO2 glass ceramics were prepared, and the optical properties of Ni2+-doped glass ceramics were investigated. Broadband emission centered at 1320 nm was observed by 980 nm excitation. The longer wavelength luminescence compared with Ni2+-doped Li2O–Ga2O3–SiO2 glass ceramics is ascribed to the low crystal field hold by Ni2+ in MgO–Al2O3–TiO2–SiO2 glass ceramics. The change in optical signals at the telecommunication bands with or without 980 nm excitation was also measured when the seed beam passes through the bulk gain host. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

All-optical control of the noncentrosymmetry of azodye-doped polymer films was demonstrated by nonresonant dual-frequency coherent excitation. Three kinds of noncentrosymmetries of the polymer films were optically tailored using appropriate combinations of the writing beam polarizations, linearly polarized, and circularly polarized light. The tensor analysis of the photoinduced noncentrosymmetry was performed by monitoring second harmonic generation (SHG) of the samples. The quadratic dependence of SHG on film thickness was observed, indicating that a χ[sup (2)] grating satisfying the phase-matching condition for SHG was optically induced in the polymer films and that this nonresonant all-optical poling can be used to tailor the symmetry of bulk samples. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which examined wavelength dispersions in the Faraday effect of GaS[sub3/2]-GeS[sub2]-LaS[sub3/2]-based glasses containing various rare-earth ions. Experimental details; Results and discussion; Conclusion.

Eu2+-doped high silica glass (HSG) is fabricated by sintering porous glass which is impregnated with europium ions. Eu2+-doped HSG is revealed to yield intense blue emission excited by ultraviolet (UV) light and near-infrared femtosecond laser. The emission profile obtained by UV excitation can be well traced by near-infrared femtosecond laser. The upconversion emission excited by 800 nm femtosecond laser is considered to be related to a two-photon absorption process from the relationship between the integrated intensity and the pump power. A tentative scheme of upconverted blue emission from Eu2+-doped HSG was also proposed. The HSG materials presented herein are expected to find applications in high density optical storage and three-dimensional color displays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the self-formation of quasiperiodic void structure with the length of several hundred micrometers inside the CaF2 crystal. The quasiperiodical voids along the propagation direction of the laser beam were formed spontaneously after the irradiation of a single femtosecond laser beam which was focused at a fixed point inside the crystal sample. The length of the void array varied with the focal depth beneath the sample surface. The possible mechanism of the self-formed void structure was discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]