Quantum Cutting in SrAl12O19:Pr3+ Nanodisks under Vacuum-UV Excitation

Quantum Cutting in SrAl12O19:Pr3+ Nanodisks under Vacuum-UV Excitation

High-quality SrAl12O19:Pr3+ nanodisks, round in shape, with a mean diameter 60 nm and thicknesses between 5 and 10 nm were synthesized by a polymer complexation route. The spectroscopic properties of the SrAl12O19:Pr3+ nanodisks were investigated and compared with these of their bulk counterparts upon vacuum-UV excitations into the 4f5d states of Pr3+ ions and the conduction band of the host lattice. The characteristic quantum cutting process due to the 1S0- 1I6, followed by the 3P0 - 3H4, transitions is observed in the nano-crystalline systems, and the quantum efficiency is comparable to that of their bulk counterparts under 4f5d state excitations. Under excitations of the host lattice, the self-trapped-exciton- mediated energy transfer can result in the preferential population of the low lying 4f2 levels of Pr3+ ions, reducing the possibility of the quantum cutting process.

High-quality SrAl12O19:Pr3+ nanodisks, round in shape, with a mean diameter 60 nm and thicknesses between 5 and 10 nm were synthesized by a polymer complexation route. The spectroscopic properties of the SrAl12O19:Pr3+ nanodisks were investigated and compared with these of their bulk counterparts upon vacuum-UV excitations into the 4f5d states of Pr3+ ions and the conduction band of the host lattice. The characteristic quantum cutting process due to the 1S0- 1I6, followed by the 3P0 - 3H4, transitions is observed in the nano-crystalline systems, and the quantum efficiency is comparable to that of their bulk counterparts under 4f5d state excitations. Under excitations of the host lattice, the self-trapped-exciton- mediated energy transfer can result in the preferential population of the low lying 4f2 levels of Pr3+ ions, reducing the possibility of the quantum cutting process.