Optical nanoheater based on the Yb3+-Er3+ co-doped nanoparticles

Yb3+-Er3+ co-doped fluoride nanoparticles have been prepared. When pumped by 975 nm laser diode into absorption band of Yb3+, the laser-induced temperature rise up to 800 degrees C has been detected in the nanoparticles by measuring the ratio of the intensities of the thermalised up-conversion luminescence bands H-2(11/2)-> I-4(15/2) and S-4(3/2)-> I-4(15/2) of Er3+. These results show that a controlled optical heating of the nanoparticles and their surrounding nano-volumes can be realised, while the location and temperature rise of the nanoparticles and heated nano-volumes can be detected distantly by means of luminescence. (C) 2009 Optical Society of America