Lanthanide complexes for temperature sensing, UV light detection, and laser applications

• Published in: Sensors and actuators. A. Physical. Vol. 222; pp. 255 - 261
• Main Authors: Shahi, Praveen Kumar, Singh, A.K., Rai, S.B., Ullrich, Bruno
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: 01.02.2015
• Subjects: Detection; Excitation; Laser applications; Lasers; Photoluminescence; Sensors; Stimulated emission; Ultraviolet
• ISSN: 0924-4247
• DOI: 10.1016/j.sna.2014.12.021

The Eu(DBM) sub(3)Phen complex has been synthesized and dispersed in poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyvinyl alcohol matrices in order to explore its versatile applicability. Excitation spectroscopy monitored at 611 nm show intense ultraviolet-blue spectra (~250 to 450nm) pointing to efficient energy transfer from the organic ligands to the central Eu super(3+) ion. The excellent photoluminescence properties, i.e., broad-band excitation spectra, sharp and intense emission, and long lifetime open the door for appealing multi-applications such as temperature sensing, ultraviolet light detection, and laser applications. Photoluminescence based temperature sensing with a sensitivity of up to 1.75% per K is demonstrated for the temperature range of 50-318 K, and additionally, ultraviolet radiation detection is demonstrated, whilst impinging ultraviolet intensities as weak as 96 nW/cm super(2) can be detected. The work further reports several essential device characteristics, such as emission dependence on impinging excitation intensity, sensor stability, and photoluminescence response times. Finally, by increasing the optical excitation, amplification in spontaneous emission and decrease of full width at half maximum take place, pointing to stimulated emission. This feature, in conjunction with the stimulated emission cross-section of 3.24 x 10 super(-20) cm super(2), which is comparable to the Nd-Glass laser, suggests the suitability of the investigated lanthanide-polymer merger for laser realizations.