Preparation and characterization of SiO2:Sm3+ nanotube arrays with 1.06 μm laser antireflective property

SiO2: Sm3+ nanotube arrays with excellent antireflective property at 1.06 μm were synthesized by a template-assisted sol–gel process. The molecular structure, morphology and optical properties of the fabricated SiO2:Sm3+ nanotube arrays were investigated by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR), a Scanning electron microscope (SEM), and a spectro-fluorometer, respectively. The experimental results demonstrate that the SiO2:Sm3+ nanotube arrays were formed via the AAO membrane during the sol–gel process. The remarkable antireflective characteristic of about 0.166% at 1.06 μm was attributed to the drastic decrease of effective refraction index which enhances the matching effect between air and substrate. As well as the absorption performance of Sm3+ at 1.06 μm which consumes the energies of incident light.

Graphical abstractDirectional aligned SiO2:Sm3+ nanotube arrays were synthesized in AAO template by sol–gel process, and the antiflective performance of arrays is prominent comparing to the blank AAO template.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► SiO2:Sm3+ nanotube arrays are synthesized by a template-assisted sol–gel process. ► SiO2:Sm3+ nanotube arrays have remarkable antireflective properties at 1.06 μm. ► The subwavelength structure results in a decrease of effective refraction index. ► The absorption performance of Sm3+ at 1.06 μm consume the energies of incident light.