near-IR Emission Research Articles

ALMA reveals a dust-obscured galaxy merger at cosmic noon

Context. Galaxy mergers play a critical role in galaxy evolution. They alter the size, morphology, dynamics, and composition of galaxies. Galaxy mergers have so far mostly been identified through visual inspection of their rest-frame optical and near-IR (NIR) emission. Dust can obscure this emission, however, resulting in the misclassification of mergers as single galaxies and in an incorrect interpretation of their baryonic properties. Aims. Having serendipitously discovered a dust-obscured galaxy merger at z = 1.17, we aim to determine the baryonic properties of the two merging galaxies, including the star formation rate (SFR) and the stellar, molecular gas and dust masses. Methods. Using Band 3 and 6 observations from the Atacama Large Millimeter and submillimeter Array (ALMA) and ancillary data, we studied the morphology of this previously misclassified merger. We deblended the emission, derived the gas masses from CO observations, and modeled the spectral energy distributions to determine the properties of each galaxy. Using the rare combination of ALMA CO(2–1), CO(5–4) and dust-continuum (rest-frame 520 μm) observations, we provide insight into the gas and dust content and into the properties of the interstellar medium of each merger component. Results. We find that only one of the two galaxies is highly obscured by dust, but both are massive (> 1010.5 M⊙) and highly star forming (SFR = 60 − 900 M⊙/yr), have a moderate-to-short depletion time (tdepl < 0.7 Gyr) and a high gas fraction (fgas ≥ 1). Conclusions. These properties can be interpreted as the positive impact of the merger. With this serendipitous discovery, we highlight the power of (sub)millimeter observations to identify and characterise the individual components of obscured galaxy mergers.

Revisiting Physical Parameters of the Benchmark Brown Dwarf LHS 6343 C through a Hubble Space Telescope/WFC3 Secondary-eclipse Observation

The LHS 6343 system consists of a resolved M-dwarf binary with an evolved, negligibly irradiated brown dwarf (BD), LHS 6343 C, orbiting the primary star. Such BD eclipsing binaries present rare and unique opportunities to calibrate substellar evolutionary and atmosphere models since mass, radius, temperature, and luminosity can be directly measured. We update this BD’s mass (62.6 ± 2.2 M Jup) and radius (0.788 ± 0.043 R Jup) using empirical stellar relations and a Gaia Data Release 3 distance. We use Hubble Space Telescope/Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3) observations of an LHS 6343 C secondary eclipse to obtain a near-IR emission spectrum, which matches to a spectral type of T1.5 ± 1. We combine this spectrum with existing Kepler and Spitzer/IRAC secondary-eclipse photometry to perform atmospheric characterization using the ATMO-2020, Sonora-Bobcat, and BT-Settl model grids. ATMO-2020 models with strong nonequilibrium chemistry yield the best fit to observations across all modeled bandpasses while predicting physical parameters consistent with Gaia-dependent analogs. BT-Settl predicts values slightly more consistent with such analogs but offers a significantly poorer fit to the WFC3 spectrum. Finally, we obtain a semi-empirical measurement of LHS 6343 C’s apparent luminosity by integrating its observed and modeled spectral energy distribution. Applying knowledge of the system’s distance yields a bolometric luminosity of log(L bol/L ☉) = −4.77 ± 0.03 and, applying the Stefan–Boltzmann law for the known radius, an effective temperature of 1303 ± 29 K. We also use the ATMO-2020 and Sonora-Bobcat evolutionary model grids to infer an age for LHS 6343 C of 2.86−0.33+0.40Gyr and 3.11−0.38+0.50Gyr respectively.

Molecular Origins of Near-Infrared Luminescence in Molybdenum and Tungsten Oxyhalide Perovskites.

Materials with near-infrared (near-IR) luminescence are desirable for applications in communications and sensing, as well as biomedical diagnostics and imaging. The most used inorganic near-IR emitters rely on precise doping of host crystal structures with select rare-earth or transition metal ions. Recently, another class of materials with intrinsic near-IR emission has been reported. The compositions of these materials were initially described as vacancy-ordered halide double perovskites Cs2MoCl6 and Cs2WCl6, but further investigation by some of us on the compound reported as Cs2WCl6 revealed an oxyhalide instead, with a composition Cs2WO x Cl6-x , where 1 < x < 2. Here we demonstrate that the Mo compounds similarly possess the composition Cs2MoO x Cl6-x or Cs2MoO x Br6-x where 1 < x < 2. Preparing the pure halide appears harder for Mo than for W, and we have not succeeded in doing so. The distinctly different composition requires the coordination environment and oxidation state for the Mo and W centers to be reconsidered from what was assumed for the pure halides. In this work, we examine the mechanism for near-IR emission in these materials given their true structures and compositions. We demonstrate that the luminescence is due to the specific d-orbital splitting caused by the presence of oxygen in the distorted [MOX5]2- octahedra (X is Cl or Br). The fine structure in the emission spectra at low temperatures has been resolved and is attributed to vibronic coupling to the Mo-O and W-O bond stretches. Understanding the true structure and composition of these interesting materials, besides explaining the near-IR luminescence, suggests how this desirable emission can be realized and manipulated.

Thulium-doped titanate-germanate glasses for infrared photonics

In this paper, we performed a comparative spectroscopic analysis of Tm3+-doped glasses based on GeO2-BaO-Ga2O3 (GBG) and TiO2-GeO2-BaO-Ga2O3 (TGBG) to achieve broadband luminescence at 1.8 μm. Glasses were prepared at different doping concentrations (0.05 mol% and 1mol%) in order to investigate the effect of Tm3+ ions as well as host composition (GeO2:TiO2 molar ratios) on near-IR luminescence properties. We report on the hypersensitivity of the transition 3H6 → 3F4 of Tm3+ in a series of titanate-germanate glasses, which was shifted to longer wavelengths with increasing TiO2 concentration. The relative intensity of the main near-IR emission band corresponding to the 3F4 → 3H6 (1.8 μm) transition of Tm3+ was 4.8-fold enhanced for glass with molar ratio GeO2:TiO2 = 1:5 compared to GBG glass system. We observed the luminescence quenching phenomena for samples containing more than 0.5 mol% of Tm3+ ions. The calculated spectroscopic parameters, such as measured luminescence lifetime (τm) and the quantum efficiency (η), were discussed and compared to the different laser glasses. Importantly, luminescence decay curves have been examined using the Inokuti-Hirayama model. Additionally, the correlation between optical properties and local structure in glasses was well evidenced by Raman spectroscopy. The proposed strategy, in combination with various chemical composition of glass host activated by various Tm2O3 concentration, might be beneficial for modern near-infrared photonics.

Hydroporphyrin-BODIPY arrays

Arrays composed of BODIPY and hydroporphyrin (chlorin or bacteriochlorin) components feature multiple strong absorption bands across visible and near-IR regions, efficient energy transfer from BODIPY to hydroporphyrin moiety, and strong deep-red or near-IR emission. These properties make such arrays attractive candidates for a variety of applications, particularly in solar energy conversion and biomedicine. In this review, the molecular design, synthesis, and photophysical properties of BODIPY-hydroporphyrin arrays are described. Their applications as fluorescent probes for in vivo imaging are also discussed.

The GRAVITY young stellar object survey

Context. The region of protoplanetary disks closest to a star (within 1–2 au) is shaped by a number of different processes, from accretion of the disk material onto the central star to ejection in the form of winds and jets. Optical and near-IR emission lines are potentially good tracers of inner disk processes if very high spatial and/or spectral resolution are achieved. Aims. In this paper, we exploit the capabilities of the VLTI-GRAVITY near-IR interferometer to determine the location and kinematics of the hydrogen emission line Brγ. Methods. We present VLTI-GRAVITY observations of the Brγ line for a sample of 26 stars of intermediate mass (HAEBE), the largest sample so far analysed with near-IR interferometry. Results. The Brγ line was detected in 17 objects. The emission is very compact (in most cases only marginally resolved), with a size of 10–30 R*(1–5 mas). About half of the total flux comes from even smaller regions, which are unresolved in our data. For eight objects, it was possible to determine the position angle (PA) of the line-emitting region, which is generally in agreement with that of the inner-dusty disk emitting the K-band continuum. The position-velocity pattern of the Brγ line-emitting region of the sampled objects is roughly consistent with Keplerian rotation. The exception is HD 45677, which shows more extended emission and more complex kinematics. The most likely scenario for the Brγ origin is that the emission comes from an MHD wind launched very close to the central star, in a region well within the dust sublimation radius. An origin in the bound gas layer at the disk surface cannot be ruled out, while accreting matter provides only a minor fraction of the total flux. Conclusions. These results show the potential of near-IR spectro-interferometry to study line emission in young stellar objects.

Effects of Deuterium Isotopes on Pt(II) Complexes and Their Impact on Organic NIR Emitters.

Insight into effect of deuterium isotopes on organic near-IR (NIR) emitters was explored by the use of self-assembled Pt(II) complexes H-3-f and HPh-3-f, and their deuterated analogues D-3-f and DPh-3-f, respectively (Scheme 2). In vacuum deposited thin film, albeit having nearly identical emission spectral feature maximized at ~810 nm, H-3-f and D-3-f exhibit remarkable difference in photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 29 % and 50 %, respectively. Distinction in PLQY is also observed for HPh-3-f (800 nm, 50 %) and DPh-3-f (798 nm, 67 %). We then elucidated the theoretical differences in the impact on near-infrared (NIR) luminescence between Pt(II) complexes and organic small molecules upon deuteration. The results establish a general guideline for the deuteration on NIR emission efficiency. From a perspective of practical application, NIR OLEDs based on D-3-f and DPh-3-f emitters attain EQEmax of 15.5 % (radiance 31,287 mW Sr-1 m-2 ) and 16.6 % (radiance of 32,279 mW Sr-1 m-2 ) at 764 nm and 796 nm, respectively, both of which set new records for NIR OLEDs of >750 nm.

Effects of Deuterium Isotopes on Pt(II) Complexes and Their Impact on Organic NIR Emitters

AbstractInsight into effect of deuterium isotopes on organic near‐IR (NIR) emitters was explored by the use of self‐assembled Pt(II) complexes H‐3‐f and HPh‐3‐f, and their deuterated analogues D‐3‐f and DPh‐3‐f, respectively (Scheme 2). In vacuum deposited thin film, albeit having nearly identical emission spectral feature maximized at ~810 nm, H‐3‐f and D‐3‐f exhibit remarkable difference in photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 29 % and 50 %, respectively. Distinction in PLQY is also observed for HPh‐3‐f (800 nm, 50 %) and DPh‐3‐f (798 nm, 67 %). We then elucidated the theoretical differences in the impact on near‐infrared (NIR) luminescence between Pt(II) complexes and organic small molecules upon deuteration. The results establish a general guideline for the deuteration on NIR emission efficiency. From a perspective of practical application, NIR OLEDs based on D‐3‐f and DPh‐3‐f emitters attain EQEmax of 15.5 % (radiance 31,287 mW Sr−1 m−2) and 16.6 % (radiance of 32,279 mW Sr−1 m−2) at 764 nm and 796 nm, respectively, both of which set new records for NIR OLEDs of &gt;750 nm.

Unveiling a Hidden Bar-like Structure in NGC 1087: Kinematic and Photometric Evidence Using MUSE/VLT, ALMA, and JWST

We report a faint nonaxisymmetric structure in NGC 1087 through the use of James Webb Space Telescope Near Infrared Camera, with an associated kinematic counterpart observed as an oval distortion in the stellar velocity map, Hα, and CO J = 2 → 1 velocity fields. This structure is not evident in the MUSE optical continuum images but only revealed in the near-IR with the F200W and F300M band filters at 2 μm and 3 μm, respectively. Due to its elongation, this structure resembles a stellar bar although with remarkable differences with respect to conventional stellar bars. Most of the near-IR emission is concentrated within 6″∼500 pc with a maximum extension up to 1.2 kpc. The spatial extension of the large-scale noncircular motions is coincident with the bar, which undoubtedly confirms the presence of a nonaxisymmetric perturbation in the potential of NGC 1087. The oval distortion is enhanced in CO due to its dynamically cold nature rather than in Hα. We found that the kinematics in all phases, including stellar, ionized, and molecular, can be described simultaneously by a model containing a bisymmetric perturbation; however, we find that an inflow model of gas along the bar major axis is also likely. Furthermore, the molecular mass inflow rate associated can explain the observed star-formation rate in the bar. This reinforces the idea that bars are mechanisms for transporting gas and triggering star formation. This work contributes to our understanding of nonaxisymmetry in galaxies using the most sophisticated data so far.

The effects of alkyl substitution on the aggregation of π-conjugated dyes: spectroscopic study and modelling.

A family of dithienosilole-based dyes with alternating donor and acceptor conjugated groups, decorated with linear or branched alkyl chains at different positions on the backbone, have been obtained and investigated in different aggregation states. These dyes are characterized by almost panchromatic absorption and by near-IR emission, with good quantum yields in a variety of solvents with different polarity. We demonstrate that the nature and position of the alkyl substituents strongly govern the self-assembly of the dyes, whose packing is also sensitive to external stimuli, such as grinding and water addition. Thanks to computational results and theoretical modelling, we are able to interpret the results based on two possible preferential packings, characterized by distinct spectroscopic behaviour, whose abundance can be tuned according to the nature and position of the alkyl chains, as well as via external stimuli.

CEERS Key Paper. VII. JWST/MIRI Reveals a Faint Population of Galaxies at Cosmic Noon Unseen by Spitzer

The Cosmic Evolution Early Release Science program observed the Extended Groth Strip (EGS) with the Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI) on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) in 2022. In this paper, we discuss the four MIRI pointings that observed with longer-wavelength filters, including F770W, F1000W, F1280W, F1500W, F1800W, and F2100W. We compare the MIRI galaxies with the Spitzer/MIPS 24 μm population in the EGS field. We find that MIRI can observe an order of magnitude deeper than MIPS in significantly shorter integration times, attributable to JWST's much larger aperture and MIRI’s improved sensitivity. MIRI is exceptionally good at finding faint (L IR < 1010 L ⊙) galaxies at z ∼ 1–2. We find that a significant portion of MIRI galaxies are “mid-IR weak”—they have strong near-IR emission and relatively weaker mid-IR emission, and most of the star formation is unobscured. We present new IR templates that capture how the mid-to-near-IR emission changes with increasing infrared luminosity. We present two color–color diagrams to separate mid-IR weak galaxies and active galactic nuclei (AGN) from dusty star-forming galaxies and find that these color diagrams are most effective when used in conjunction with each other. We present the first number counts of 10 μm sources and find that there are ≲10 IR AGN per MIRI pointing, possibly due to the difficulty of distinguishing AGN from intrinsically mid-IR weak galaxies (due to low metallicities or dust content). We conclude that MIRI is most effective at observing moderate-luminosity (L IR = 109–1010 L ⊙) galaxies at z = 1–2, and that photometry alone is not effective at identifying AGN within this faint population.

Building Manganese Halide Hybrid Materials with 0D, 1D, and 2D Dimensionalities

In recent years, metal-halide hybrid materials have attracted considerable attention because materials, such as lead-iodide perovskites, can have excellent properties as photovoltaics, light-emitting devices, and photodetectors. These materials can be obtained in different dimensionalities (1D, 2D, and 3D), which directly affects their properties. In this article, we built 0D, 1D, and 2D manganese halide materials with 3-aminopyridine (3AP) or 4-ethylpyridine (4EtP). Two isomorphic complexes with 3AP and manganese chloride ([MnCl2(3AP)4]) or manganese bromide ([MnBr2(3AP)4]) were obtained with the amino group in 3AP assisting in the formation of 0D structures via hydrogen bonding. By modifying the reaction conditions, 3AP can also be used to build a 2D coordination polymer with manganese chloride ([MnCl33AP]− [3APH]+). Unlike 3AP, 4EtP does not provide the opportunity for hydrogen bonding, leading to the formation of two additional isomorphic compounds built of individual 1D chains with manganese chloride ({MnCl3(4EtP)2}n) and manganese bromide ({MnBr2(4EtP)2}n). In the visible region, the 0D and 1D manganese halide compounds have similar photoluminescence properties; however, 0D and 1D have different near-IR emissions. In conclusion, hydrogen-bonding groups can play a role in the formation of discrete manganese-halide units, 1D halide chains, or 2D polymeric sheets.

Enhanced mid-IR luminescence of Er3+ ions at 2.7 μm in TiO2-GeO2-BaO-Ga2O3 glasses

Er3+-doped glass based on TiO2–GeO2–BaO–Ga2O3 has been examined for mid-IR luminescence applications. Mid-IR luminescence corresponding to the 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 transition of Er3+ is enhanced in the presence of TiO2. These effects are stronger for mid-IR emission at 2727 nm than near-IR emission at 1533 nm related to the 4I13/2 → 4I15/2 transition of Er3+. The gain bandwidth for the 4I11/2 → 4I13/2 transition of Er3+ is relatively large (σem × FWHM = 8.14 × 10−26cm3), which imply that glass with TiO2 might be a promising candidate for efficient sources emitting mid-IR radiation.

Acceleration of Near-IR Emission through Efficient Surface Passivation in Cd3P2 Quantum Dots.

Fast near-IR (NIR) emitters are highly valuable in telecommunications and biological imaging. The most established NIR emitters are epitaxially grown InxGa1-xAs quantum dots (QDs), but epitaxial growth has several disadvantages. Colloidal synthesis is a viable alternative that produces a few NIR-emitting materials, but they suffer from long photoluminescence (PL) times. These long PL times are intrinsic in some NIR materials (PbS, PbSe) but are attributed to emission from bright trapped carrier states in others. We show that Cd3P2 QDs possess substantial trap emission with radiative times >101 ns. Surface passivation through shell growth or coordination of Lewis acids is shown to accelerate the NIR emission from Cd3P2 QDs by decreasing the amount of trap emission. This finding brings us one step closer to the application of colloidally synthesized QDs as quantum emitters.

Near-IR intracellular Pd0/Pd2+ triggered de-allylation switch based on self-assembled perylene diimide

In this report, we have synthesized and characterized novel dibromo allyl substituted perylene diimide (PDI-BA) for the selective detection of palladium species. PDI-BA showed solvatofluorism properties and can be used for mapping of moisture content (>5%) in CH3OH. The near-IR emission of PDI-BA was selectively disturbed by Pd0/Pd2+ species at concentrations as low as 17.2 nM and 286 nM, respectively. The PDI-BA showed ratiometric absorbance (A732nm/A548nm) changes upon addition of Pd0/Pd2+ with limit of detection as low as 97.3 nM/284 nM associated with color change from pink to green. Interestingly, no reducing agent is required for the Pd2+ induced de-allylation process. In the aggregated state (80% water), PDI-BA is 55 times more sensitive for Pd0 in comparison to its monomeric state (20% water). We further demonstrated the applications of PDI-BA for intracellular (L929 live cells) and pharmaceutical sample detection of Pd0 and Pd2+ species. The self-assembled aggregates of PDI-BA with morphology of holes disintegrates into spherical structures as confirmed by DLS and AFM techniques.

The Need for a New Generation of Space-based Visible and Near-IR Emission Line Observations of the Corona

The Need for a New Generation of Space-based Visible and Near-IR Emission Line Observations of the Corona

High-z galaxies with JWST and local analogues – it is not only star formation

ABSTRACT I present an analysis of the JWST NIRSpec data of SMACS 0723 released as Early Release Observations. As part of this three new redshifts are provided, bringing the total of reliable redshifts to 14. I propose a modification to the direct abundance determination method that reduces sensitivity to flux calibration uncertainties by a factor of ∼3 and show that the resulting abundances are in good agreement with Bayesian photoionization models of the rest-frame optical spectrum. I also show that 6355 is most likely a narrow-line active galactic nucleus (AGN) with $M_*\lt 10^9\, \mathrm{M}_\odot$ at z = 7.66 and argue that 10 612 might also have an AGN contribution to its flux through comparison to photoionization models and low-redshift analogues. Under the assumption that the lines come from star formation, I find that the galaxies have gas depletion times of ∼107 yr, comparable to similar galaxies locally. I also identify a population of possibly shock-dominated galaxies at z &amp;lt; 3, whose near-IR emission lines plausibly come nearly all from shocks and discuss their implications. I close with a discussion of the potential for biases in the determination of the mass–metallicity relation using samples defined by detected [O iii]4363 and show using low-z galaxies that this can lead to biases of up to 0.5 dex with a systematic trend with mass.

Lab-scale ballistic and safety property investigations of LMP-103S

LMP-103S is a storable, green, ammonium dinitramide (ADN)-based liquid monopropellant with significant potential owing to its improved specific impulse (≥ 6%) and density (∼24%) in comparison to hydrazine, and its superior safety and handling characteristics. LMP-103S already has a significant history of thruster testing and flight heritage. However, its baseline combustion behavior is a surprisingly understudied topic. Constant-volume strand burner experiments with LMP-103S are reported herein for pressures between 0.69 and 34.5 MPa (100 – 5,000 psia). Linear burning rates were measured from transient pressure data and high-speed video. Visible and near-IR emission spectra were recorded as well. Phenomenological combustion behaviors are reported for the entire pressure range as deduced from these diagnostics, and two clear pressure regimes are observed. Hydrodynamic instabilities and supercritical combustion processes dominate the combustion behavior in the low- and high-pressure regimes, respectively. Supporting experiments include thermal cook-off of LMP-103S and impact sensitivity testing of ADN crystals extracted from LMP-103S solution. The data presented herein significantly expand upon those available in the literature for LMP-103S, and the phenomenological combustion behavior deduced from transient, high-speed video data improve upon the state-of-the-art knowledge regarding ADN-based liquid monopropellants.

Light Conversion upon Photoexcitation of NaBiF4:Yb3+/Ho3+/Ce3+ Nanocrystalline Particles.

NaBiF4 nanocrystalline particles were synthesized by means of a facile precipitation synthesis route to explore upconversion emission properties when doped with lanthanide ions. In particular, the incorporation of the Yb3+-Ho3+-Ce3+ triad with controlled ion concentration facilitates near-IR pumping conversion into visible light, with the possibility of color emission tuning depending on Ce3+ doping amount. We observed that introducing a Ce3+ content up to 20 at.% in NaBiF4:Yb3+/Ho3+, the chromaticity progressively turns from green for the Ce3+ undoped system to red. This is due to cross-relaxation mechanisms between Ho3+ and Ce3+ ions that influence the relative efficiency of the overall upconversion pathways, as discussed on the basis of a theoretical rate equation model. Furthermore, experimental results suggest that the photoexcitation of intra-4f Ho3+ transitions with light near the UV-visible edge can promote downconverted Yb3+ near-IR emission through quantum cutting triggered by Ho3+-Yb3+ energy transfer mechanisms. The present study evidences the potentiality of the developed NaBiF4 particles for applications that exploit lanthanide-based light frequency conversion and multicolor emission tuning.

Dual-excitation decoding multiparameter-based ratiometric luminescence thermometry: a new strategy toward reliable and accurate thermal sensing

Luminescence thermometry can perform noninvasive thermal sensing with high spatial resolution and fast response, emerging as an exciting field of research due to its promising applications in biomedicine. Nevertheless, because of the interaction between light and complex tissues, the reliability and the accuracy of this technique suffer serious interference, which significantly restricts its practical utilization. Here, a strategy to implement effective luminescence nanothermometry is preliminarily proposed by employing the different thermal responses between Yb 3 + → Nd 3 + and Nd 3 + → Yb 3 + energy transfer processes. Different from the traditional ratiometric sensing method, where two luminescence intensities are used as the thermal response parameters, we use two intensity ratios between Yb 3 + and Nd 3 + near-IR emissions that are obtained under dual excitation as the detecting and reference signals to perform temperature measurement. This multiparameter-based, self-reference thermometry technique, as we define it, exhibits excellent immunity to the influences arising from the fluctuation and loss of pumping sources as well as the luminescence attenuation in media. High thermal sensitivity ( ∼ 2.2 % K − 1 ) and good resolution ( ∼ 0.35 ° C ) are successfully achieved here, accompanied by a measurement error of ∼ 1.1 ° C in a biological environment test, while large errors are observed based on the traditional ratiometric approach ( ∼ 8.9 ° C , ∼ 23.2 ° C ). We believe the viewpoint in this work could boost luminescence thermometry and provide an ingenious route toward high-performance thermal sensing for biological systems.