Luminescence enhancement of CdTe nanostructures in LaF₃:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites

Authors

Mingzhen Yao, University of Texas at Arlington
Xing Zhang, University of Texas at Arlington
Lun Ma, University of Texas at Arlington
Wei Chen, University of Texas at Arlington
Alan G. Joly, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory
Jinsong Huang, University of Nebraska-LincolnFollow
Qingwu Wang, Agiltron, Inc.

Document Type

Article

Date of this Version

2010

Citation

Journal of Applied Physics 108, 103104 (2010)

Comments

Copyright 2010 American Institute of Physics.

Abstract

Radiation detection demands new scintillators with high quantum efficiency, high energy resolution, and short luminescence lifetimes. Nanocomposites consisting of quantum dots and Ce³⁺ doped nanophosphors may be able to meet these requirements. Here, we report the luminescence enhancement of LaF₃:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites which were synthesized by a wet chemistry method. CdTe quantum dots in LaF₃:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites are converted into nanowires, while in LaF₃ /CdTe nanocomposites no such conversion is observed. As a result, the CdTe luminescence in LaF₃:Ce/CdTe nanocomposites is enhanced about five times, while in LaF₃ /CdTe nanocomposites no enhancement was observed. Energy transfer, light reabsorption, and defect passivation are the likely reasons for the luminescence enhancement.