Spatiotemporal control of photochromic upconversion through interfacial energy transfer

Dynamic control of multi-photon upconversion with rich and tunable emission colors is stimulating extensive interest in both fundamental research and frontier applications of lanthanide based materials. However, manipulating photochromic upconversion towards color-switchable emissions of a single lanthanide emitter is still challenging. Here, we report a conceptual model to realize the spatiotemporal control of upconversion dynamics and photochromic evolution of Er 3+ through interfacial energy transfer (IET) in a core-shell nanostructure. The design of Yb sublattice sensitization interlayer, instead of regular Yb 3+ doping, is able to raise the absorption capability of excitation energy and enhance the upconversion. We find that a nanoscale spatial manipulation of interfacial interactions between Er and Yb sublattices can further contribute to upconversion. Moreover, the red/green color-switchable upconversion of Er 3+ is achieved through using the temporal modulation ways of non-steady-state excitation and time-gating technique. Our results allow for versatile designs and dynamic management of emission colors from luminescent materials and provide more chances for their frontier photonic applications such as optical anti-counterfeiting and speed monitoring. Achieving spatiotemporal control of photochromic upconversion from a single lanthanide emitter remains challenging. Here, the authors present a conceptual model enabling such control of Er 3+ photochromic upconversion via interfacial energy transfer in a core-shell nanostructure.