Optical Line Width Broadening Mechanisms at the 10 kHz Level in Eu^(3+):Y_2O_3 Nanoparticles

We identify the physical mechanisms responsible for the optical homogeneous broadening in Eu^(3+):Y_2O_3 nanoparticles to determine whether rare-earth crystals can be miniaturized to volumes less than λ^3 while preserving their appeal for quantum technology hardware. By studying how the homogeneous line width depends on temperature, applied magnetic field, and measurement time scale, the dominant broadening interactions for various temperature ranges above 3 K were characterized. Below 3 K the homogeneous line width is dominated by an interaction not observed in bulk crystal studies. These measurements demonstrate that broadening due to size-dependent phonon interactions is not a significant contributor to the homogeneous line width, which contrasts previous studies in rare-earth ion nanocrystals. Importantly, the results provide strong evidence that for the 400 nm diameter nanoparticles under study the minimum line width achieved (45 ± 1 kHz at 1.3 K) is not fundamentally limited. In addition, we highlight that the expected broadening caused by electric field fluctuations arising from surface charges is comparable to the observed broadening. Under the assumption that such Stark broadening is a significant contribution to the homogeneous line width, several strategies for reducing this line width to below 10 kHz are discussed. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the Eu^(3+) hyperfine state lifetime is sufficiently long to preserve spectral features for time scales up to 1 s. These results allow integrated rare-earth ion quantum optics to be pursued at a submicron scale and, hence, open up directions for greater scaling of rare-earth quantum technology

Single Er3+, Yb3+: KGd3F10 Nanoparticles for Nanothermometry

Among several optical non-contact thermometry methods, luminescence thermometry is the most versatile approach. Lanthanide-based luminescence nanothermometers may exploit not only downshifting, but also upconversion (UC) mechanisms. UC-based nanothermometers are interesting for biological applications: they efficiently convert near-infrared radiation to visible light, allowing local temperatures to be determined through spectroscopic investigation. Here, we have synthesized highly crystalline Er3+, Yb3+ co-doped upconverting KGd3F10 nanoparticles (NPs) by the EDTA-assisted hydrothermal method. We characterized the structure and morphology of the obtained NPs by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and dynamic light scattering. Nonlinear spectroscopic studies with the Er3+, Yb3+: KGd3F10 powder showed intense green and red emissions under excitation at 980 and 1,550 nm. Two- and three-photon processes were attributed to the UC mechanisms under excitation at 980 and 1,550 nm. Strong NIR emission centered at 1,530 nm occurred under low 980-nm power densities. Single NPs presented strong green and red emissions under continuous wave excitation at 975.5 nm, so we evaluated their use as primary nanothermometers by employing the Luminescence Intensity Ratio technique. We determined the temperature felt by the dried NPs by integrating the intensity ratio between the thermally coupled H-2(11/2)-> I-4(15/2) and S-4(3/2)-> I-4(15/2) levels of Er3+ ions in the colloidal phase and at the single NP level. The best thermal sensitivity of a single Er3+, Yb3+: KGd3F10 NP was 1.17% at the single NP level for the dry state at 300 K, indicating potential application of this material as accurate nanothermometer in the thermal range of biological interest. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first promising thermometry based on single KGd3F10 particles, with potential use as biomarkers in the NIR-II region

Cavity-enhanced spectroscopy of a few-ion ensemble in Eu3+:Y2O3

We report on the coupling of the emission from a single europium-doped nanocrystal to a fiber-based microcavity under cryogenic conditions. As a first step, we study the properties of nanocrystals that are relevant for cavity experiments and show that embedding them in a dielectric thin film can significantly reduce scattering loss and increase the light-matter coupling strength for dopant ions. The latter is supported by the observation of a fluorescence lifetime reduction, which is explained by an increased local field strength. We then couple an isolated nanocrystal to an optical microcavity, determine its size and ion number, and perform cavity-enhanced spectroscopy by resonantly coupling a cavity mode to a selected transition. We measure the inhomogeneous linewidth of the coherent D-5(0)-F-7(0) transition and find a value that agrees with the linewidth in bulk crystals, evidencing a high crystal quality. We detect the fluorescence from an ensemble of few ions in the regime of power broadening and observe an increased fluorescence rate consistent with Purcell enhancement. The results represent an important step towards the efficient readout of single rare earth ions with excellent optical and spin coherence properties, which is promising for applications in quantum communication and distributed quantum computation

Rare earth doped nanocrystals for quantum information applications

Rare earth (RE) doped crystals are promising materials for quantum information processing (QIP). In particular, Eu3+:Y2O3 bulk crystals present long optical coherent lifetimes (T2), a fundamental parameter for QIP. In this thesis, we investigated this system at the nanoscale, which could be used to build hybrid devices where RE are coupled to other quantum systems. This work focuses on the development of Eu3+: Y2O3 particles with sub-wavelength size and on the static and dynamical contributions to Eu3+ optical linewidth. Systems with different particle and crystallite sizes were prepared using homogeneous precipitation. Optical inhomogeneous linewidths were found to decrease with high temperature annealing and reached values close to those of bulk crystals, showing that low defect concentrations can be obtained. A quasi-linear correlation with Raman linewidths was also observed. T1 population decays were measured by fluorescence and found longer than in the bulk, in good agreement with a model based on an effective refractive index model. Optical T2 were investigated by photon echo (PE) and holeburning techniques. We observed a coherence lifetime of 7.1 µs at 1.7 K in a 0.5 % Eu3+ doped sample, the highest value reported for any nanocrystal. Temperature dependence and spectral diffusion studies indicate that structure fluctuations and spin flips dominate dephasing.Les cristaux dopés par des ions de terre rare (TR) apparaissent prometteurs pour des applications dans le traitement quantique de l'information. Parmi ces matériaux, les cristaux massifs d'Eu3+:Y2O3 présentent un long temps de cohérence optique (T2), un paramètre fondamental pour les technologies quantiques. Ce travail de thèse porte sur l'étude de ce système à l'échelle nanométrique, ce qui pourrait permettre de développer des systèmes hybrides dans lesquels les TR sont couplées à d'autres systèmes quantiques. Des nanocristaux de différentes tailles ont été élaborés par précipitation homogène. La largeur optique inhomogène diminue avec des recuits à haute température et peut atteindre les valeurs mesurées dans des cristaux massifs. Une corrélation quasi-linéaire avec les largeurs de raie Raman a aussi été observée. Les temps de vie de population sont plus longs que dans les échantillons massifs et peuvent être modélisés par un indice de réfraction effectif. Les T2 optiques ont ensuite été déterminés par écho de photon et creusement de trou spectral. Nous avons mesuré un temps de cohérence de 7.1 µs à 1.7 K dans un échantillon dopé à 0.5 % en Eu3+, la valeur la plus élevée observée pour un nanocristal. Une étude en température et de la diffusion spectrale indique que le déphasage est dominé par des fluctuations de la structure et des basculements de spins

Structural and spectroscopic studies of visible and near-infrared emitting glass ceramic materials based on Er3+- doped SiO2-Ta2O5

Neste trabalho foram realizadas preparação e caracterizações estrutural e espectroscópica de materiais à base de óxidos nanoestruturados de Ta2O5 dispersos em matrizes amorfas de SiO2, dopados com íons Er3+ e Eu3+. Os materiais foram sintetizados através da metodologia sol-gel e caracterizados com o intuito tanto de estudar a estrutura e a distribuição de íons lantanídeos nestes compósitos, quanto de otimizar suas propriedades ópticas. Foram utilizadas técnicas de espectroscopias vibracional de absorção na região do infravermelho e de espalhamento Raman, difratometria de raios X, espectroscopia de fotoluminescência, reflectância difusa, perfilometria, acoplamento por prisma e microscopia de força atômica para caracterizar tais sistemas na forma de pós e filmes. As variações na razão entre Si-Ta e na concentração de íons lantanídeos, promoveram alterações nos parâmetros estruturais do Ta2O5, mostrando que tais íons lantanídeos são incorporados preferencialmente na matriz de Ta2O5. Foi verificado que estes materiais nanocompósitos possuem tanto emissão em 1550 nm, quanto processos de conversão ascendente de energia com excitação em 980 nm, apresentando emissões nas regiões verde e vermelha. A investigação dos processos de emissão no infravermelho próximo e de transferência de energia como migração e conversão ascendente de energia foi realizada em função da variação de íons Er3+ nos sistemas, de temperaturas de tratamentos térmicos e de potências de excitação. Todos os materiais apresentaram largas e intensas emissões na região de 1550 nm e tempos de vida entre 6,9 a 0,5 ms, além de concentrações de supressão de 1 % em mol de íons Er3+ para materiais na forma de pós e 0,81% em mol de íons Er3+ para os filmes. Foi observado que as emissões na região do visível apresentam processos de absorção do estado excitado (ESA) e de transferência de energia (ETU), envolvendo cerca de 2 e 1,7 fótons para as emissões em 550 e 670 nm, respectivamente. Os filmes apresentaram nanocristais de Ta2O5 dispersos em uma matriz amorfa de sílica, perfis homogêneos para todas as amostras, além de superfícies livres de trincas e rugosidades médias da ordem de 1 nm, que demonstram elevado potencial para aplicações como guias de luz. Os materiais estudados apresentam potenciais aplicações como amplificadores ópticos, laseres e conversores de energia no infravermelho-visível.This work reports on the preparation and structural and spectroscopic characterization of Er3+ ion and Eu3+.-doped nanostructured Ta2O5-based oxides materials dispersed in a SiO2 amorphous matrix. The materials were synthesized by the sol-gel method and characterized in order to study the structure and distribution of these lanthanides composite as well as to optimize its optical properties. The techniques used to characterize such systems, in the form of powders and films, were the vibrational infrared absorption spectroscopy and Raman scattering, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance, perfilometry, prism coupling and atomic force microscopy. Variations in the Si-Ta ratio and the lanthanide ions concentration promoted changes in the Ta2O5 structural parameters, showing these lanthanide ions are preferentially incorporated in the Ta2O5 matrix of. It was found that these nanocomposite materials have emission in 1550 nm as well as green and red range upconversion energy processes with 980 nm excitation. The investigation of emission and energy transfer processes in the near infrared range - such as energy migration and upconversion - was carried out according the variation of Er3+ ions, annealing temperatures and excitation powers in the studied systems. All materials shown intense and wide emissions in the 1550 nm range, lifetimes of 6.9 to 0.5 ms and quenching concentrations of 1 mol% of Er3+ ions for materials in the powder form and 0.81 mol% of Er3+ ions for the films. It were observed excited state absorption (ESA) and energy transfer (ETU) processes, involving about 2 and 1.7 photons in the visible range emission at 550 and 670 nm, respectively. The films shown Ta2O5 nanocrystals dispersed in an amorphous SiO2 matrix with similar profiles for all samples, with crack-free surfaces and average roughness of about 1 nm, showing a high potential for applications such as waveguides. Therefore, the studied materials have potential applications as optical amplifiers, lasers and infrared-visible energy converters

Structural and spectroscopic studies of visible and near-infrared emitting glass ceramic materials based on Er3+- doped SiO2-Ta2O5

Neste trabalho foram realizadas preparação e caracterizações estrutural e espectroscópica de materiais à base de óxidos nanoestruturados de Ta2O5 dispersos em matrizes amorfas de SiO2, dopados com íons Er3+ e Eu3+. Os materiais foram sintetizados através da metodologia sol-gel e caracterizados com o intuito tanto de estudar a estrutura e a distribuição de íons lantanídeos nestes compósitos, quanto de otimizar suas propriedades ópticas. Foram utilizadas técnicas de espectroscopias vibracional de absorção na região do infravermelho e de espalhamento Raman, difratometria de raios X, espectroscopia de fotoluminescência, reflectância difusa, perfilometria, acoplamento por prisma e microscopia de força atômica para caracterizar tais sistemas na forma de pós e filmes. As variações na razão entre Si-Ta e na concentração de íons lantanídeos, promoveram alterações nos parâmetros estruturais do Ta2O5, mostrando que tais íons lantanídeos são incorporados preferencialmente na matriz de Ta2O5. Foi verificado que estes materiais nanocompósitos possuem tanto emissão em 1550 nm, quanto processos de conversão ascendente de energia com excitação em 980 nm, apresentando emissões nas regiões verde e vermelha. A investigação dos processos de emissão no infravermelho próximo e de transferência de energia como migração e conversão ascendente de energia foi realizada em função da variação de íons Er3+ nos sistemas, de temperaturas de tratamentos térmicos e de potências de excitação. Todos os materiais apresentaram largas e intensas emissões na região de 1550 nm e tempos de vida entre 6,9 a 0,5 ms, além de concentrações de supressão de 1 % em mol de íons Er3+ para materiais na forma de pós e 0,81% em mol de íons Er3+ para os filmes. Foi observado que as emissões na região do visível apresentam processos de absorção do estado excitado (ESA) e de transferência de energia (ETU), envolvendo cerca de 2 e 1,7 fótons para as emissões em 550 e 670 nm, respectivamente. Os filmes apresentaram nanocristais de Ta2O5 dispersos em uma matriz amorfa de sílica, perfis homogêneos para todas as amostras, além de superfícies livres de trincas e rugosidades médias da ordem de 1 nm, que demonstram elevado potencial para aplicações como guias de luz. Os materiais estudados apresentam potenciais aplicações como amplificadores ópticos, laseres e conversores de energia no infravermelho-visível.This work reports on the preparation and structural and spectroscopic characterization of Er3+ ion and Eu3+.-doped nanostructured Ta2O5-based oxides materials dispersed in a SiO2 amorphous matrix. The materials were synthesized by the sol-gel method and characterized in order to study the structure and distribution of these lanthanides composite as well as to optimize its optical properties. The techniques used to characterize such systems, in the form of powders and films, were the vibrational infrared absorption spectroscopy and Raman scattering, X-ray diffraction, photoluminescence spectroscopy, diffuse reflectance, perfilometry, prism coupling and atomic force microscopy. Variations in the Si-Ta ratio and the lanthanide ions concentration promoted changes in the Ta2O5 structural parameters, showing these lanthanide ions are preferentially incorporated in the Ta2O5 matrix of. It was found that these nanocomposite materials have emission in 1550 nm as well as green and red range upconversion energy processes with 980 nm excitation. The investigation of emission and energy transfer processes in the near infrared range - such as energy migration and upconversion - was carried out according the variation of Er3+ ions, annealing temperatures and excitation powers in the studied systems. All materials shown intense and wide emissions in the 1550 nm range, lifetimes of 6.9 to 0.5 ms and quenching concentrations of 1 mol% of Er3+ ions for materials in the powder form and 0.81 mol% of Er3+ ions for the films. It were observed excited state absorption (ESA) and energy transfer (ETU) processes, involving about 2 and 1.7 photons in the visible range emission at 550 and 670 nm, respectively. The films shown Ta2O5 nanocrystals dispersed in an amorphous SiO2 matrix with similar profiles for all samples, with crack-free surfaces and average roughness of about 1 nm, showing a high potential for applications such as waveguides. Therefore, the studied materials have potential applications as optical amplifiers, lasers and infrared-visible energy converters

Optical Line Width Broadening Mechanisms at the 10 kHz Level in Eu³⁺:Y₂O₃ Nanoparticles

We identify the physical mechanisms responsible for the optical homogeneous broadening in Eu³⁺:Y₂O₃ nanoparticles to determine whether rare-earth crystals can be miniaturized to volumes less than λ³ while preserving their appeal for quantum technology hardware. By studying how the homogeneous line width depends on temperature, applied magnetic field, and measurement time scale, the dominant broadening interactions for various temperature ranges above 3 K were characterized. Below 3 K the homogeneous line width is dominated by an interaction not observed in bulk crystal studies. These measurements demonstrate that broadening due to size-dependent phonon interactions is not a significant contributor to the homogeneous line width, which contrasts previous studies in rare-earth ion nanocrystals. Importantly, the results provide strong evidence that for the 400 nm diameter nanoparticles under study the minimum line width achieved (45 ± 1 kHz at 1.3 K) is not fundamentally limited. In addition, we highlight that the expected broadening caused by electric field fluctuations arising from surface charges is comparable to the observed broadening. Under the assumption that such Stark broadening is a significant contribution to the homogeneous line width, several strategies for reducing this line width to below 10 kHz are discussed. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the Eu³⁺ hyperfine state lifetime is sufficiently long to preserve spectral features for time scales up to 1 s. These results allow integrated rare-earth ion quantum optics to be pursued at a submicron scale and, hence, open up directions for greater scaling of rare-earth quantum technology

Microscopic Characterizations of Upconversion-Induced Near-Infrared Light Harvest in Hybrid Perovskite Solar Cells

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Optimal scheduling of industrial combined heat and power plants under time-sensitive electricity prices

This work reports on the infrared-to-visible CW frequency upconversion from planar waveguides based on Er3+-Yb3+-doped 100-xSiO(2)-xTa(2)O(5) obtained by a sol-gel process and deposited onto a SiO2-Si substrate by dip-coating. Surface morphology and optical parameters of the planar waveguides were analyzed by atomic force microscopy and the m-line technique. The influence of the composition on the electronic properties of the glass-ceramic films was followed by the band gap ranging from 4.35 to 4.51 eV upon modification of the Ta2O5 content. Intense green and red emissions were detected from the upconversion process for all the samples after excitation at 980 nm. The relative intensities of the emission bands around 550 nm and 665 nm, assigned to the H-2(11/2) -> I-4(15/2), S-4(3/2) -> I-4(15/2), and F-4(9/2) -> I-4(15/2) transitions, depended on the tantalum oxide content and the power of the laser source at 980 nm. The upconversion dynamics were investigated as a function of the Ta2O5 content and the number of photons involved in each emission process. Based on the upconversion emission spectra and 1931CIE chromaticity diagram, it is shown that color can be tailored by composition and pump power. The glass ceramic films are attractive materials for application in upconversion lasers and near infrared-to-visible upconverters in solar cells.FAPESPFAPESPCAPESCAPESCNPqCNP