Spectral downconversion of visible or UV-light, which is the transformation of high-energy light into lower energy radiation, is used for a broad range of commercial products. In contrast, efficient solid-state light upconversion materials, that is materials transforming low-energy light into higher-energy radiation, have only been investigated since less than a decade and materials efficiently working under ambient solar radiation are only emerging. Low-power light upconversion by triplet-triplet annihilation has been explored for a wide range of applications including solar harvesting systems, such as photovoltaics or photochemical water splitting, where high upconversion efficiencies under low light intensities are especially desirable.<br/><br/>This presentation will summarize research that focuses on the preparation and characterisation of polymeric, one-dimensional photonic crystals doped with upconverting dye pairs. Photonic structures are promising candidates to enhance nonlinear optical effects and to increase upconversion efficiencies at low light intensities by exploiting peculiar effects such as an enhanced light-matter interaction (“slow-photon effect”). Examples that will be discussed include photonic gels with an additional mechanochromic functionality. The data presented will be used to outline general design rules, especially in view of light upconverting two- and three-dimensional photonic crystals.

Low-power light upconversion in polymeric one-dimensional photonic crystals

254th National Meeting (2017)

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