Light Emission Research Articles

Signature of nano alumina condensation during metal combustion

The work is focused on thermal radiation originating from aluminum oxide nanoparticles formed during the combustion of an aluminum and copper oxide (Al/CuO) thermite. The light emission signature allows for the identification of condensation features important for the global energy balance of burning metal-containing systems. From a fundamental science perspective, identifying light emission signatures associated with phase changes, and in particular, with condensation that is accompanied by high energy release, will lead to new knowledge with widespread applications. The recently developed calibration-free pyrometry approach is used to isolate the radiation of interest during combustion. Processing the obtained spectra made it possible to detect the solidification of the resulting nano alumina. Knowledge of the phase transition temperature enabled the determination of the temporal behavior of the absolute temperature of aluminum oxide nanoparticles during their formation by condensation from gaseous metal suboxides. This ability to measure absolute temperature, as opposed to its reciprocal value available with the original calibration-free pyrometry approach, further enhances the diagnostic method's capabilities. The general implications of revealed peculiarities of nano alumina formation for detailed modeling of the combustion of metal-containing systems are discussed.

Structural Chirality and Electronic Chirality in Quantum Materials

In chemistry and biochemistry, chirality represents the structural asymmetry characterized by nonsuperimposable mirror images for a material such as DNA. In physics, however, chirality commonly refers to the spin–momentum locking of a particle or quasiparticle in the momentum space. While seemingly disconnected, structural chirality in molecules and crystals can drive electronic chirality through orbital–momentum locking; that is, chirality can be transferred from the atomic geometry to electronic orbitals. Electronic chirality provides an insightful understanding of chirality-induced spin selectivity, in which electrons exhibit salient spin polarization after going through a chiral material, and electrical magnetochiral anisotropy, which is characterized by diode-like transport. It further gives rise to new phenomena, such as anomalous circularly polarized light emission, in which the light handedness relies on the emission direction. These chirality-driven effects will generate broad impacts for fundamental science and technology applications in spintronics, optoelectronics, and biochemistry.

Axially-Polarized Excitonic Series and Anisotropic van der Waals Stacked Heterojunction in a Quasi-1D Layered Transition-Metal Trichalcogenide.

Anisotropic optical 2D materials are crucial for achieving multiple-quanta functions within quantum materials, which enables the fabrication of axially polarized electronic and optoelectronic devices. In this work, multiple excitonic emissions owning polarization-sensitive orientations are clearly detected in a multilayered quasi-1D ZrS3 nanoribbon with respect to the nanostripe edge. Four excitons denoted as AS1, AS2, AS, and A2 with E ⊥ b polarized direction and one prominent A1 exciton with E || b polarized emission are simultaneously detected in the polarized micro-photoluminescence (µPL) measurement of 1.9-2.2eV at 10K. In contrast to light emission, polarized micro-thermoreflectance (µTR) measurements are performed to identify the polarization dependence and verify the excitons in the multilayered ZrS3 nanoribbon from the perspective of light absorption. At 10K, a prominent and broadened peak on the lower-energy side, containing an indirect resonant emission (DI) observed by µPL and an indirect defect-bound exciton peak (AInd) observed by both µPL and µTR, is simultaneously detected, confirming the existence of a quasi-direct band edge in ZrS3. A van der Waals stacked p-GaSe/n-ZrS3 heterojunction solar cell is fabricated, which demonstrates a maximum axially-polarized conversion efficiency up to 0.412% as the E || b polarized light incident onto the device.

In situ self-assembly of pulp microfibers and nanofibers into a transparent, high-performance and degradable film

Despite the significant properties of fossil plastics, the current unsustainable methods employed in production, usage and disposal present a grave threat to both energy and environment. The development of degradable biomass materials as substitutes for fossil plastics can effectively address the energy-environment paradox at the source. Here, we prepared novel micro-nano multiscale composite films through assembling and crosslinking nanocellulose with coniferous wood pulp microfibers. The composite film combines the advantages of microfibers and nanocellulose, achieving a maximum transmittance of 91 %, foldability, excellent mechanical properties (tensile strength: 51.3 MPa, elongation at break: 4 %, young's modulus: 3.4 GPa), high thermal stability and complete degradation within 40 days. The composite film exhibits mechanochemical self-healing and retains properties even after fracture. Such exceptional performance fully meets the requirements for substituting petroleum plastics. By incorporating CaAlSiN3:Eu2+ into the composite film, it enables dual emission of red and blue light, thereby being able to promote plant growth and presenting potential as a novel sustainable alternative for agricultural films. By assembling microfiber and nanocellulose, such novel strategy is presented for the fabrication of high-quality biomass materials, thereby offering a promising avenue towards environment-friendly resource-sustainable new materials.

Tunable Ag Nanocavity Enhanced Green Electroluminescence from SiNx:O Light-Emitting Diode.

As the driving source, highly efficient silicon-based light emission is urgently needed for the realization of optoelectronic integrated chips. Here, we report that enhanced green electroluminescence (EL) can be obtained from oxygen-doped silicon nitride (SiNx:O) films based on an ordered and tunable Ag nanocavity array with a high density by nanosphere lithography and laser irradiation. Compared with that of a pure SiNxO device, the green electroluminescence (EL) from the SiNx:O/Ag nanocavity array device can be increased by 7.1-fold. Moreover, the external quantum efficiency of the green electroluminescence (EL) is enhanced 3-fold for SiNx:O/Ag nanocavity arrays with diameters of 300 nm. The analysis of absorption spectra and the FDTD calculation reveal that the localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance of size-controllable Ag nanocavity arrays and SiNx:O films play a key role in the strong green EL. Our discovery demonstrates that SiNx:O films coupled with tunable Ag nanocavity arrays are promising for silicon-based light-emitting diode devices of the AI period in the future.

Transparent Ce3+-doped fluorapatite (FAP) ceramics fabricated by spark plasma sintering (SPS)

Polycrystalline Ce3+-doped fluorapatite (Ce:FAP) transparent ceramics with fine microstructures were fabricated through liquid-phase synthesis for the initial powder and spark plasma sintering (SPS) for full densification. These ceramics were confirmed to have a single-phase crystal structure, and the average grain sizes were determined to be 139 and 135 nm for the 1 and 2 at.% Ce-doping concentrations, respectively. Their emission spectra revealed that the fabricated ceramics convert UV light to visible light emission due to the 5d→4f electronic transition of Ce3+. These ceramics are expected to be useful in photonic applications.

Innovative approach to tailoring upconversion luminescence in Yb3+/Eu3+ doped CaZrO3 perovskite host matrix

This study presents the synthesis and characterization of upconverter nanostructures consisting of a perovskite host matrix, CaZrO3, co-doped with trivalent ytterbium (Yb3+) and europium (Eu3+), denoted as CaZrO3:Yb3+/Eu3+. Single-doped CaZrO3:Eu3+ samples were excited using a 394 nm UV source, while CaZrO3:Yb3+/Eu3+ samples were excited with a 980 nm diode laser source. Yb3+ ions efficiently absorb the 980 nm light and transfer the absorbed energy to the nearby ion Eu3+ ions, leading to the emission of visible light around 590, 614, and 655 nm, respectively. The emission spectra of Eu3+ ions exhibit an initial increase with increasing Yb3+ concentration, peaking at 7 mol%, followed by a decrease due to luminescence quenching. The decay lifetime of Eu3+ ions under 300 nm excitation decreases simultaneously with increasing Yb3+ concentration, indicating energy migration between Yb3+ and Eu3+. Detailed explanations of the energy transfer mechanism between Yb3+ and Eu3+ ions are provided, supported by equations and diagrams. This study provides valuable insights into the optimization of dopant concentrations for enhancing upconversion luminescence in CaZrO3:Yb3+/Eu3+ nanostructures, with 3 mol% Eu3+ concentration identified as optimal based on preliminary experiments. The findings presented in this paper contribute to the understanding of energy transfer processes in luminescence upconversion materials and highlight the potential of CaZrO3:Yb3+/Eu3+ nanostructures for applications in lighting, displays, and bio-imaging. This work represents a significant advancement in the field of upconversion luminescence emission, particularly in the utilization of CaZrO3 codoped with Yb3+ and Eu3+, and lays the foundation for further research in this area.

Highly efficient and water-resistant BaGa4S7:Eu2+ phosphor prepared by a self-reduction method

The development of eco-friendly luminescent materials is imperative for the advancement of phosphor-based technologies. This study corroborates the self-reduction of Eu3+ to Eu2+ through analyses utilizing photoluminescence (PL), excitation spectroscopy (PLE), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Density functional theory (DFT) calculations demonstrate that Eu2+ ions can efficaciously substitute Ba2+ ions within the BaGa4S7 lattice, preserving its structural integrity. Upon blue light excitation, BaGa4S7:Eu2+ manifests a robust green emission attributed to Eu2+ ions, showcasing a peak wavelength near 526 nm. The quantum yield (QY) of BaGa4S7:Eu2+ is remarkably high, registering at 74.8 %. Moreover, the temperature-dependent luminescence properties of BaGa4S7:Eu2+ phosphor were subjected to thorough investigation. Water resistance assays indicate that the sample preserves 76 % of its initial luminous intensity following 40 days of aqueous immersion. Additionally, BaGa4S7:Eu2+ based phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) demonstrate emission of high-quality white light. This unique water-resistant green emission sulfide phosphor is expected to have potential applications in lighting fields.

In vivo optogenetics using a Utah Optrode Array with enhanced light output and spatial selectivity

Objective.Optogenetics allows the manipulation of neural circuitsin vivowith high spatial and temporal precision. However, combining this precision with control over a significant portion of the brain is technologically challenging (especially in larger animal models).Approach.Here, we have developed, optimised, and testedin vivo, the Utah Optrode Array (UOA), an electrically addressable array of optical needles and interstitial sites illuminated by 181μLEDs and used to optogenetically stimulate the brain. The device is specifically designed for non-human primate studies.Main results.Thinning the combinedμLED and needle backplane of the device from 300μm to 230μm improved the efficiency of light delivery to tissue by 80%, allowing lowerμLED drive currents, which improved power management and thermal performance. The spatial selectivity of each site was also improved by integrating an optical interposer to reduce stray light emission. These improvements were achieved using an innovative fabrication method to create an anodically bonded glass/silicon substrate with through-silicon vias etched, forming an optical interposer. Optical modelling was used to demonstrate that the tip structure of the device had a major influence on the illumination pattern. The thermal performance was evaluated through a combination of modelling and experiment, in order to ensure that cortical tissue temperatures did not rise by more than 1 °C. The device was testedin vivoin the visual cortex of macaque expressing ChR2-tdTomato in cortical neurons.Significance.It was shown that the UOA produced the strongest optogenetic response in the region surrounding the needle tips, and that the extent of the optogenetic response matched the predicted illumination profile based on optical modelling-demonstrating the improved spatial selectivity resulting from the optical interposer approach. Furthermore, different needle illumination sites generated different patterns of low-frequency potential activity.

Yellow light emitting Cs2Zr0.99Te0.01Cl6 with high efficiency emission via modified co-precipitation method synthesis for the light-emitting device

While lead-free perovskite has attracted widespread interest in the optical field by overcoming their toxicity and stability disadvantages compared to conventional lead-based perovskite, the low photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of lead-free perovskite has greatly limited their commercialization path. In this research, a modified co-precipitation method was used to prepare Cs2ZrCl6, which was achieved by the addition of TeCl4 to shift the emission wavelength from 436 to 556 nm with bright yellow emission, the optimal PLQY of 98.2% was achieved by the addition of Te4+ in the amount of 1 % and the optimization of the reaction concentration. First-principles calculations and spectral analysis of Cs2Zr1-xTexCl6 show that the broadband yellow light emission comes from self-trapped excitons (STEs) in Cs2Zr1-xTexCl6. In addition, the luminous intensity of the prepared Cs2Zr1-xTexCl6 was 57.3, 63.3 and 90.1% of the initial intensity after exposure to air for 30 d, cyclic intermittent heating to 200°C and ultraviolet (UV) irradiation for 7 d, respectively. Finally, Cs2Zr1-xTexCl6 and Cs2ZrCl6:10% Bi were used as phosphors and encapsulated with a UV chip to make three different colors of light-emitting diodes (LED), where the white LED (WLED) had CIE coordinates of (0.3061 0.3244), color temperatures, color rendering indices as well as color tolerances of 6921 K, 84 and 6.52 respectively. This research provides a new approach to improve the performance of lead-free perovskite.

The effect of SiO2 crystallization in enhancing the luminescence of Dy3+-Sm3+ co-doped glass ceramics for cool white light application.

The present work investigates the structural and luminescence behaviour of Dy3+-Sm3+ co-doped glass ceramics obtained through heat treatment of precursor glasses. The growth of SiO2 polycrystalline particles and evolution of these crystallites in the glass domain are witnessed via XRD and FESEM study. The presence of network vibrational bands, hydroxyl groups and the increased quantity of bridging oxygens (BOs) in glass ceramics are analysed through FTIR spectroscopy study. The absorption study (UV-Visible-NIR) showed the possible electronic transitions of Dy3+ and Sm3+ ions. The red shift in the absorption band edges and the lower bandgap values are obtained as a result of improved heat treatment in glass ceramics. Emission studies show the enhanced luminescence intensity of glass ceramics under 350 and 402 nm excitations. Decay measurement of glass ceramics showed the improved lifetimes of Dy3+ and Sm3+ ions to have appeared in microseconds (×10-6s). The colour characteristics of glass ceramics analysed using CIE colour chromaticity diagram and correlated colour temperature (CCT) values suggest the neutral to cool white light emissions. Therefore, prepared glass ceramics with SiO2 polycrystalline phase are considered to be suitable materials in cool white LEDs applications.

Correlations between X-rays, visible light and drive-beam energy loss observed in plasma wakefield acceleration experiments at FACET-II

This study documents several correlations observed during the first run of the plasma wakefield acceleration experiment E300 conducted at FACET-II, using a single drive electron bunch. The established correlations include those between the measured maximum energy loss of the drive electron beam and the integrated betatron X-ray signal, the calculated total beam energy deposited in the plasma and the integrated X-ray signal, among three visible light emission measuring cameras and between the visible plasma light and X-ray signal. The integrated X-ray signal correlates almost linearly with both the maximum energy loss of the drive beam and the energy deposited into the plasma, demonstrating its usability as a measure of energy transfer from the drive beam to the plasma. Visible plasma light is found to be a useful indicator of the presence of a wake at three locations that overall are two metres apart. Despite the complex dynamics and vastly different time scales, the X-ray radiation from the drive bunch and visible light emission from the plasma may prove to be effective non-invasive diagnostics for monitoring the energy transfer from the beam to the plasma in future high-repetition-rate experiments.

Tunable Narrowband to Wideband emission of Mn2+, Eu2+ Co-doped GdMgAl11O19 for multifunctional applications

As the widespread application of white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) in lighting field and liquid crystal display (LCD) backlight, the development of phosphors toward multifunctional applications is considered to be an inevitable tendency. In this work, multi-color light emissions have been realized in Eu2+ and Mn2+-activated magnetoplumbite-type GdMgAl11O19 (GMAO) along with adjustable photoluminescence properties. Significantly, a promising narrow-band green light emission can be achieved by Mn2+-activated GMAO with the full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 27 nm, and such narrow emission band makes the as-prepared WLED device reach 121 % of National Television Standards Committee (NTSC), which can act as an ideal LCD backlight. On the other hand, the broad cyan light can be achieved in Eu2+-activated GMAO. Moreover, multi-color light emissions have been realized in Eu2+ and Mn2+ co-doped GMAO, and the energy transfer from Eu2+ to Mn2+ ions was established. Benefitting from the broad band cyan light emission of Eu2+ ion, a promising WLED device with high color rendering index (CRI) of 90 has been fabricated by using Eu2+ and Mn2+ co-doped sample. The result indicates the multifunctional applications of the GMAO modulated by Eu2+ and Mn2+ activators.

Fluorescent Nanowires from Dual‐State Emitting Fluorophores Directed by Molecular Motors and Aggregation‐Induced Emission: Produce Quantized Light Spectrum

AbstractLuminescent materials require systems that exhibit both dual‐state emission (DSE) and aggregation‐induced emission (AIE) to overcome the limitation of aggregation‐caused quenching (ACQ). Herein, a molecular assembler capable of crafting nanowires that exhibit programmable fluorescence across a broad spectrum of colors in a precisely quantized manner is reported. Because it is a starburst dendritic box made of PAMAM dendrimer (P), controller (C) molecules, and motor (M) molecules, the assembler is called PCM. Here, Nile red is chosen as C and placed into the hollow core of the dendrimer; a double ratchet motor (DRM) is chosen as M and is connected to the N‐terminals of the PAMAM dendrimer. While aqueous dispersed PCM assemblers have broad fluorescence bands beyond 300 nm, their crafted nanowires produce quantized cyan‐green, yellow, and orange‐red light emission in the spectra. These PCM assemblers are shown to hold long‐term memory, rapid switching, and energy harvesting by modulating photonic bandgaps, causing a longer redshift in the solid phase. The DSE of PCM can yield versatile photonics applications like bioimaging and energy harvesting. As PCM nanowires can modulate photonic bandgaps to cause a longer redshift, PCM fluorophores hold promise for drug delivery and cell separation like infrared‐sensitive operations.

Optimization and luminescence studies of Sm3+ doped LiCaBO3 phosphors for high-performance white light-emitting diodes

An undoped and a series of orange-red emitting LiCaBO3:Sm3+ (x = 0.5–3 mol%) phosphors have been synthesized using a highly reliable and cost-effective combustion method. The synthesized phosphors were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), and Diffuse Reflectance spectroscopy (DRS). The structural studies of the LiCaBO3:Sm3+phosphor confirm the single-phase orthorhombic structure with space group Pbca and the presence of borate anionic groups. Upon near-UV excitation at 405 nm, the PL emission spectra show four emission peaks centered at 564 nm, 602 nm, 650 nm, and 708 nm corresponding to the 4G5/2 → 6H5/2, 4G5/2 → 6H7/2, 4G5/2 → 6H9/2 and 4G5/2 → 6H11/2 transitions respectively resulting in the emission of orange-red light. The optimum dopant concentration of Sm3+ion was 1 mol% and the main mechanism of concentration quenching was calculated using Dexter's theory. The bandgap of the undoped phosphor was found to be 5.31 eV. The CIE chromaticity coordinates are (0.56, 0.40) which confirms the orange-red emission. The obtained results indicate that the synthesized phosphor can be a potential candidate for application in solid-state lighting devices.

An integrated fuzzy logic and machine learning platform for porosity detection using optical tomography imaging during laser powder bed fusion

Traditional methods such as mechanical testing and x-ray computed tomography (CT), for quality assessment in laser powder-bed fusion (LPBF), a class of additive manufacturing (AM), are resource-intensive and conducted post-production. Recent advancements in in-situ monitoring, particularly using optical tomography (OT) to detect near-infrared light emissions during the process, offer an opportunity for in-situ defect detection. However, interpreting OT datasets remains challenging due to inherent process characteristics and disturbances that may obscure defect identification. This paper introduces a novel machine learning-based approach that integrates a self-organizing map, a fuzzy logic scheme, and a tailored U-Net architecture to enhance defect prediction capabilities during the LPBF process. This model not only predicts common flaws such as lack of fusion and keyhole defects through analysis of in-situ OT data, but also allows quality assurance professionals to apply their expert knowledge through customizable fuzzy rules. This capability facilitates a more nuanced and interpretable model, enhancing the likelihood of accurate defect detection. The efficacy of this system has been validated through experimental analyses across various process parameters, with results validated by subsequent CT scans, exhibiting strong performance with average model scores ranging from 0.375 to 0.819 for lack of fusion defects and from 0.391 to 0.616 for intentional keyhole defects. These findings underscore the model’s reliability and adaptability in predicting defects, highlighting its potential as a transformative tool for in-process quality assurance in AM. A notable benefit of this method is its adaptability, allowing the end-user to adjust the probability threshold for defect detection based on desired quality requirements and custom fuzzy rules.

Silent white light: Reduction of the second-order intensity correlation coefficient

We investigate the intrawaveguide statistics manipulation of broadband light by combining semiconductor quantum dot physics with quantum optics. By cooling a quantum dot superluminescent diode to the liquid nitrogen temperature of 77 K, Blazek [] have demonstrated a temperature-dependent reduction of the second-order intensity correlation coefficient from 2 for thermal amplified spontaneous emission light to g(2)(0,T=190K)≈1.33. Here, we model the broadband photon statistics assuming amplified spontaneous emission radiation in a pumped, saturable quantum dot gain medium. We demonstrate that, by an intensity increase due to the quantum dot occupation dynamics via the temperature-tuned quasi-Fermi levels, together with the saturation nonlinearity, a statistics manipulation from thermal Bose-Einstein statistics towards Poissonian statistics can be realized, thus producing “silent white light” with a reduced second-order correlation coefficient. Such intensity-noise-reduced broadband radiation is relevant for many applications such as optical coherence tomography, optical communication, or optical tweezers. Published by the American Physical Society 2024

Mechanically Triggered Bright Chemiluminescence from Polymers by Exploiting a Synergy between Masked 2-Furylcarbinol Mechanophores and 1,2-Dioxetane Chemiluminophores.

Mechanoluminescence, or the generation of light from materials under external force, is a powerful tool for biology and materials science. However, direct mechanoluminescence from polymers remains limited. Here, we report a novel design strategy for mechanoluminescent polymers that leverages the synergy between a masked 2-furylcarbinol mechanophore for mechanically triggered release and an adamantylidene-phenoxy-1,2-dioxetane chemiluminophore payload. Ultrasound-induced mechanochemical activation of polymers, in both organic and aqueous solutions, triggers a cascade reaction that ultimately results in bright green light emission. This novel strategy capitalizes on the modularity of the masked 2-furylcarbinol mechanophore system in combination with advances in the design of exceptionally bright and highly tunable adamantylidene-1,2-dioxetane chemiluminophores. We anticipate that this chemistry will enable diverse applications in optoelectronics, sensing, bioimaging, optogenetics, and many other areas.

Correlation of serum anti-mullerian hormone and age-related health problems with ovarian function

The objectives of this paper were to analyse the correlation between serum Anti-Mullerian Hormone (AMH) and age-related health issues affecting ovarian function and explore the current opportunities for this novel technique. This article mainly focuses on reviewing the biological processes involved in the female reproductive system and the clinical basis of the development of technologies for female fertility. The Serum AntiMullerian Hormone (AMH) test is a valuable tool for the assessment of ovarian function. The AMH level of each individual sample is catalysed using a Roche Elecsys AMH analyzer and a chemiluminescence immunoassay (ECLA), which measures the light emission of the serum complex at 450 nm. The results demonstrated a strong association between serum AMH levels and age, establishing its reliability in the prediction of the ovarian reserve as well as reproductive lifespan. However, age is not the sole determinant for fertility. Genetic factors, oocyte quality, uterine thickness and other environmental factors showed a potential linkage with ovarian syndromes, which indicates poor ovarian function. Market expansion, raising awareness of reproductive health, policy support, and technological advancements provide multiple channels for the promotion of AMH test technology. These findings can be used for business planning or studying age-related changes on the AMH test.

Effect of shade and thickness on the microhardness of resin-based composite specimens at different points considering curing light beam’s inhomogeneity

BackgroundRecent studies have reported the inhomogeneity in the light emitted by dental light-curing units (LCUs). It is essential to understand how this uneven light distribution affects the physical properties of resin-based composites (RBCs) at various points across their surfaces. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of LCU beam’s inhomogeneity on the microhardness of RBCs with different shades and thicknesses.MethodsFour body (A1B, A2B, A3B, and A4B), one dentin (A3D), and one enamel shade (A3E) of RBC (Filtek Z350 XT) were examined. The specimens were fabricated in four thicknesses (1, 2, 3, and 4 mm) and subjected to a 40-second light-curing. Vickers microhardness testing was performed at the center point, and 3 mm left and right from the center at the bottom surface of each sample. The LCU beam profile was characterized using a beam profiler, while irradiance after specimen passage was measured using a spectrometer. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey’s post-hoc tests were used to analyze the effects of shades and thicknesses on irradiance and microhardness, respectively. One-way repeated-measures ANOVA was used to compare the microhardness across different points. Pearson’s correlation analysis examined the relationship between irradiance and microhardness.ResultsThe beam profile of LCU revealed inhomogeneous light distribution. Light irradiance was decreased with both the increase in thickness and darker shade of the specimens (p < 0.05). Microhardness was found to decline with an increase in sample thickness (p < 0.05), and was consistently higher at the center point compared to the periphery, particularly in thicker (3 and 4 mm) and darker shades (A3B, A4B, and A3D). A positive correlation was found between the irradiance and microhardness across all evaluated points (p < 0.05).ConclusionsInhomogeneous light emission from LCU significantly influences the microhardness of RBC samples, depending on the thicknesses and shades. The findings underline the importance of considering LCU beam inhomogeneity in clinical settings to ensure optimal polymerization of RBC.