Linear charging-discharging of an ultralong UVA persistent phosphor for advanced optical data storage and wide-wavelength-range detector

[Display omitted] •A novel Mg2GeO4: Bi3+, Li+ UVA long-lasting phosphor was synthesized with persistent time longer than 100 h.•Barcode information can be written, read, and erased by ultraviolet, NIR, and blue light, respectively.•The electron charging-discharging is linearly proportional to the irradiation power of UV, blue and NIR light.•The phosphor is applied in advanced optical data storage and optical power detection of a wide-wavelength-range. Ultraviolet persistent luminescence (UV PersL) phosphor is currently gaining considerable attention due to its promising potential for widespread advanced applications. However, the linear manipulation of electron charging-discharging and the prolongation of persistent time remains a huge challenge. Here, we report a novel Bi3+ doped Mg2GeO4 UVA PersL phosphor via a nonequivalent substitution strategy. The UVA PersL performance of Mg2GeO4:Bi3+ is significantly improved by introducing Li+ ions, yielding a superior UVA PersL property with afterglow lasting time beyond 100 h. The trap distribution management and the captured electron motion dynamics are revealed by the thermoluminescence technique under various external stimuli. Moreover, UVA PersL can be repeatedly rejuvenated by NIR and blue LED stimulation owing to the optically stimulated electrons from different depth traps to shallow traps. Due to the invisibility of UVA light, barcode information stored on the phosphor film can be read by NIR light and then erased by blue light, exhibiting the potential application in optical data storage with good concealment and security. Most remarkable is the electron charging-discharging linear functions of the irradiated power of UV, and blue and NIR light which was never reported, providing a feasible approach for optical power detection in a wide-wavelength-range. This work not only offers a guideline to develop novel high-performance UV PersL materials but also provides a route to effectively manipulate the electrons in the traps toward applications in advanced optical information storage and wide-wavelength-range light detection.