Upconversion amplification through dielectric superlensing modulation

Abstract

Achieving efficient photon upconversion under low irradiance is not only a fundamental challenge but also central to numerous advanced applications spanning from photovoltaics to biophotonics. However, to date, almost all approaches for upconversion luminescence intensification require stringent controls over numerous factors such as composition and size of nanophosphors. Here, we report the utilization of dielectric microbeads to significantly enhance the photon upconversion processes in lanthanide-doped nanocrystals. By modulating the wavefront of both excitation and emission fields through dielectric superlensing effects, luminescence amplification up to 5 orders of magnitude can be achieved. This design delineates a general strategy to converge a low-power incident light beam into a photonic hotspot of high field intensity, while simultaneously enabling collimation of highly divergent emission for far-field accumulation. The dielectric superlensing-mediated strategy may provide a major step forward in facilitating photon upconversion processes toward practical applications in the fields of photobiology, energy conversion, and optogenetics. © 2019, The Author(s).