Rare Earth Doped Up Converting Nanoparticles: Synthesis and Application in Bio-Imaging | Original Article

ABSTRACT:

Up conversion luminescence, a nonlinear process, which re-emits a photon at a shorter wavelength by the absorption of more than one photon, successively at longer wavelengths via long-lived intermediate energy states, is useful for important applications in various fields like fluorescence bio-imaging and lasers. This NIRto-NIR up-conversion process provides deeper light penetration into biological specimen and results in high contrast optical imaging due to absence of an auto fluorescence background and decreased light scattering. Excitation at long wavelengths also minimizes damage to biological materials. Herein, we report, the different mechanisms responsible for the Up conversion process of rare-earth (Er3+, Ho3+, Tm3+) doped nanoparticle and methods that are used to synthesize and decorate up converting nanoparticle.