Improving luminescent penetrability by Tm3+/Ce3+ doped Y2O3 nanocrystals for optical imaging

We prepared the Y2O3 nanocrystals doped with Tm3+ and Ce3+ ions by the sol-gel method. The luminescence lifetimes, excitation and emission spectra have been studied in detail. The Tm3+/Ce3+ doped Y2O3 nanocrystals can emit strong 813 nm infrared with the excitation of 698 nm red light. The excitation wavelength at 698 nm and emission wavelength at 813 nm are located in the weak absorption area of biological tissues, which can enhance the quality of optical imaging.