Low-density polyethylene films doped with europium(III) complex: their properties and applications

Light-converting polyethylene film containing europium(III) complex with phenanthroline was manufactured under an extrusion process. The film was characterized first by means of time-of-flight secondary-ion-mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS), ultraviolet-visible-infrared (UV-vis-IR) spectroscopy, then a study of excitation and luminescence spectra, quantum yield and lifetime of luminescence. The quantum yield of luminescence was measured as 52%, and the lifetime of luminescence was determined about 470 musec. TOF-SIMS surface mapping showed the uniform distribution of europium(III) over the film. Visualization of strong picosecond UV laser beams through the use of the developed film has been demonstrated. Copyright (C) 2004 John Wiley Sons, Ltd.