RUI: Investigation of metal-to-metal charge transfer states in rare earth ion-doped solids

非技术描述：这个为期三年的研究项目正在研究一类有前途的材料，用于照明和/或激光应用。感兴趣的材料是含有稀土离子镨和铽的氧化物，它们分别发出红光和绿色光。这些材料很有趣，因为存在一种量子态，允许紫外线能量有效地进入系统。随后，该能量可以被转换为红色或绿色光。通过改变材料的组成，可以改变这种量子态的特性，以最大限度地提高能量输入并提取所需颜色的光。该项目的目标是：（1）深入了解这种状态的物理和化学性质，以及（2）优化这些系统的可见光输出，以应用于固态照明和显示材料中使用的磷光体，以及固态激光应用。技术说明：本研究计划为期三年，利用发光光谱技术，对稀土离子（镨、铽）掺杂d 0过渡金属氧化物的电荷转移态进行研究。该项目包括对电荷转移态的基本性质及其在导致稀土离子发射的弛豫过程动力学中的作用的实验研究。调整电荷转移态的能量以使特定稀土离子的发光效率最大化。这种调整是通过改变材料的组成和改变颗粒尺寸到纳米级来实现的。该项目为本科生提供了重要的培训，让他们在实验室中获得实践经验，让他们在科学会议上展示自己的工作，并与其他大学的科学家合作。

NON-TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: This three-year research project is investigating a promising class of materials for use as lighting and/or laser applications. The materials of interest are oxides containing the rare earth ions praseodymium and terbium, which give off red and green light, respectively. These materials are interesting because there exists a quantum state that allows ultraviolet energy to be put into the system efficiently. Subsequently, that energy can be transformed to red or green light. By changing the composition of the materials, it is possible to alter the characteristics of this quantum state to maximize the energy input and extract light at the desired color. The goals of the project are to: (1) gain insight into the physical and chemical properties of this state, and (2) to optimize the visible light output of these systems for applications to phosphors used in solid-state lighting and in display materials, and for solid-state laser applications. TECHNICAL DESCRIPTION: This three-year research project investigates a charge transfer state of d0 transition metal oxides doped with rare-earth ions (praseodymium and terbium) using the techniques of luminescence spectroscopy. The project includes an experimental study into the fundamental properties of the charge transfer state, and into its role in the dynamics of the relaxation processes that lead to emission from the rare earth ions. The energy of the charge transfer state is being tuned to maximize the luminescence efficiency of the specified rare earth ions. This tuning is being accomplished by changing the composition of the materials and by altering the particle size down to the nm-scale. The project provides significant training to undergraduates, giving them hands-on experience in the laboratory, allowing them to present their work at scientific conferences, and by collaborating with scientists at other universities.