Creating nanoscale luminescence centres in silver halides suitable for infrared application

Abstract

This study shows the possibility of creating luminescence centres in silver halide media using substances based on rare-earth elements such as neodymium, ytterbium and dysprosium. These luminescent substances in the form of fine particles of both nanoscale and microscale dimensions can be introduced into the AgCl0.25Br0.75 ceramic matrix highly transparent in the spectral range of 0.5–35 μm. Our theoretical and experimental studies showed that the introduction of luminescent nanoparticles or microparticles at the amount of 0.5 wt.% into AgCl0.25Br0.75 ceramics neither reduces the level of its transmission in the MIR region nor shortens the range of transmission. What is more, we proved that the luminescent properties of nanoparticles remain well preserved after doping silver halide ceramic media with them. Therefore, silver halides doped with rare-earth elements in question can be used for developing the sources of coherent middle infrared radiation, with appropriate energy levels being excited by optical radiation or pulsed electric field.