Enhanced optical functionalities in silica by doping with Au-based nanostructures

Abstract

The sensitization mechanism of Er ions by sub-nanometric Au aggregates formed in silica by sequential ion implantation has been investigated by room temperature photoluminescence characterizations. Er–Au co-implanted samples with different Au and Er relative concentrations have been studied. The results allowed to point out a correlation between the luminescence properties of the molecule-like Au nanoclusters and the Er sensitization effect and to definitely prove the short-range nature of the energy-transfer process. Efficient sensitization of the Er luminescence in silica is obtained by energy-transfer from ultra-small Au nanoclusters.