title: Near-infrared luminescence of Nd3+ and Tm3+ ions doped ZnO nanocrystals.
abstract: Intense near-infrared luminescence of Nd(3+) and Tm(3+) ions in the region of 860-1550 nm were achieved in 10-15 nm wurtzite ZnO nanocrystals fabricated by a facile sol-gel process. The optical properties of Nd(3+) and Tm(3+) ions were investigated by using the steady-state and time-resolved laser spectroscopy. Due to the well-ordered crystal-field surroundings experienced by Nd(3+) and Tm(3+) ions, sharp and well resolved emission lines of Nd(3+) and Tm(3+) ions were identified at 4-300 K. Time-resolved luminescence and decay behaviors of the (4)F(3/2)-->(4)I(11/2) transition of Nd(3+) ions reveal the existence of multiple Nd(3+) sites in ZnO nanocrystals.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Materials Chemistry and Physics, Fujian Institute of Research on the Structure of Matter, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Fuzhou, Fujian, China.
authors.forename: Yongsheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wenqin
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Renfu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Haomiao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Xueyuan
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods; D008163:Luminescent Measurements / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D009354:Neodymium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D013050:Spectrometry, Fluorescence / Q000379:methods*; D019265:Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared; D013932:Thulium / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D015034:Zinc Oxide / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D009354:Neodymium; D013932:Thulium; D015034:Zinc Oxide