Optical Properties of Lanthanides in Condensed Phase, Theory and Applications

The basic theories of electronic levels and transition probabilities of lanthanides are summarized. Their interpretation allows practical preparation of new materials having application in lighting, solar energy utilization, optoelectronics, biological sensors, active waveguides and highly sensitive bioassays for in vitro detection in medical applications. The ways by which the weak fluorescence arising from electronic transition within the four f-configurations can be intensified will be discussed. This includes the intermixing of the four f-states with ligands of the host matrix, excitation to higher d-electronic states. Additional intensification of luminescence by plasmonic interaction with gold, silver and copper nanoparticles will be discussed. A short history of the time development of the research and the names of the scientists who made the major contribution of our understanding of lanthanides spectroscopy are presented.