Nanoscale engineering of ionic environment for efficient mid-infrared luminescence via electric polarization

Designing the ionic environment on the nanoscale can be an efficient strategy for modulating photoluminescence, and is also helpful for maintaining other properties that would be affected by a wide-ranging transformation of structure. This paper presents for the first time the use of nanoscale engineering for the enhancement of mid-infrared photoluminescence by electric polarization. The change of the structure around the doping ions after polarization is ∼2 A, indicating the realization of nanoscale engineering. Efficient 1.85 μm photoluminescence is obtained which is enhanced 3.45 fold after polarization. The lifetime is also lengthened 2.35 fold. The improved luminescence properties can be ascribed to the lowering of symmetry around the doping Tm3+ ions induced by the electric polarization. The nanoscale engineering of luminescence properties by electric polarization and the accompanying ferroelectric properties may give rise to new multifunctional optoelectronic applications served by the mid-infrared window.