White Light Emitting Upconversion Nanomaterials

Abstract

White light (WL) generation in nanoparticles (NPs) using upconversion (UC) is a rapidly growing field in the field of nanophotonics. In UC, multiple low-energy photons are absorbed and combined into one high-energy photon through a nonlinear optical process. NPs exhibit high efficiency in UC due to their small size and large surface area relative to volume. UC nanoparticles (UCNPs) potential uses in WL generation, bioimaging and sensing due to their versatility. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the latest developments in WL generation using UCNPs. We begin by discussing the basic principles WL generation and then focus on the different methods that are used to generate WL using UCNPs, including energy transfer, sum frequency generation and cascaded nonlinear processes. We also address the challenges in achieving efficient WL generation using UCNPs. Additionally, we highlight recent advancements in WL generation using UCNPs, such as the development of new UCNP materials and optimization of the UC process. We also explore the potential applications of WL generated using UCNPs, including in lighting, displays and biomedical imaging. Finally, we discuss future directions for research in this field and the potential impact of UCNPs on the broader field of nanophotonics