Enhanced photoluminescence due to two-photon enhanced three-photon absorption in Mn2+-doped ZnS quantum dots

In this work, we have investigated the multi-photon absorption induced photoluminescence in Mn2+-doped ZnS quantum dots in the wavelength range 860 – 1050 nm (Near-Infrared Window I). The observed three-photon action cross-section has been compared with the theoretical prediction under four band approximation. An enhancement of four to five orders has been observed in the range from 970 to 1050 nm compared to the theoretical value, which is attributed to two-photon enhanced three-photon absorption. Transient lifetime measurements reveal a lifetime of 0.35 ± 0.3 ms, which is four to five orders higher than other conventional fluorescent probes.