We report on the energy-transfer mechanism between amorphous Si nanoclusters and erbium ions in a SiO(2) matrix. We have studied a set of optimized samples which show maximum Er(3+) to Si-nc coupling ratio. We demonstrate that the transfer mainly occurs to the (4)I(11/2) level in less than 100 ns and that higher Er(3+) energetic levels are not involved. Furthermore, we show that there are no traces of Auger back-transfer, excited state absorption, or pair-induced quenching mechanisms in our samples, leading us to propose a model in which the short interaction distance between Si-nc and Er(3+) ions is the limiting factor for the noncomplete excitation of the whole Er(3+) active population.
Energy transfer between amorphous Si nanoclusters and Er(3+) ions in a SiO(2) matrix
Daldosso, Nicola;
2009-01-01
Abstract
We report on the energy-transfer mechanism between amorphous Si nanoclusters and erbium ions in a SiO(2) matrix. We have studied a set of optimized samples which show maximum Er(3+) to Si-nc coupling ratio. We demonstrate that the transfer mainly occurs to the (4)I(11/2) level in less than 100 ns and that higher Er(3+) energetic levels are not involved. Furthermore, we show that there are no traces of Auger back-transfer, excited state absorption, or pair-induced quenching mechanisms in our samples, leading us to propose a model in which the short interaction distance between Si-nc and Er(3+) ions is the limiting factor for the noncomplete excitation of the whole Er(3+) active population.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.