Enhancement of upconversion photoluminescence in phosphor nanoparticle thin films using metallic nanoantennas fabricated by colloidal lithography [Dataset]

Lanthanide-doped upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs), as multifunctional light sources, are finding utility in diverse applications ranging from biotechnology to light harvesting. However, the main challenge in realizing their full potential lies in achieving bright and efficient photon upconversion (UC). In this study, we present a novel approach to fabricate an array of gold nanoantennas arranged in a hexagonal lattice using a simple and inexpensive colloidal lithography technique, and demonstrate a significant enhancement of UC photoluminescence (UCPL) by up to 35-fold through plasmon-enhanced photoexcitation and emission. To elucidate the underlying physical mechanisms responsible for the observed UCPL enhancement, we provide a comprehensive theoretical and experimental characterization, including a detailed photophysical description and numerical simulations of the spatial electric field distribution. Our results shed light on the fundamental principles governing the enhanced UCNPs and pave the way for their potential applications in photonic devices.Upconversion luminescence, Plasmon, Nanostructure Financial support: European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (NANOPHOM, grant agreement no. 715832), grant FJC2020-046006-I funded by MCIN/AEI /10.13039/501100011033 and by the European Union Next Generation EU/PRTR, JAE Intro ICU program (JAEIntro-2021-ICMS-01).Figure_1 Fig 1b.txt : AFM height map from -10 to 140 nm. 516x516 pixels, 2000x2000 nm (388 nm/pixel) Figure_2 Fig 2a.txt Fig_2b.txt : Wavelength in nm (column 1) and calculated IIE (column 2) Fig_2c_1.txt: Simulated electric field at 980nm intensity in a YZ plane. The first column correspond to the Y coordinates and the first row correspond to the X coordinates. Fig_2c_2.txt: Simulated electric field intensity at 980nm in a XY plane. The first column correspond to the X coordinates and the first row correspond to the Y coordinates. Figure_3 Fig 3a.txt Fig 3b.txt Fig 3c.txt Fig 3d.txtPeer reviewe