NIR-to-NIR and NIR-to-Vis up-conversion of SrF2:Ho3+ nanoparticles under 1156 nm excitation

Recently, the up-converting (UC) materials, containing lanthanide (Ln3+) ions have attracted considerable attention because of the multitude of their potential applications. The most frequently investigated are UC systems based on the absorption of near-infrared (NIR) radiation by Yb3+ ions at around 975-980 nm and emission of co-dopants, usually Ho3+, Er3+ or Tm3+ ions. UC can be observed also upon excitation with irradiation with a wavelength different than 975-980 nm. The most often studied systems capable of UC without the use of Yb3+ ion are those based on the properties of Er3+ ions, which show luminescence resulting from the excitation at 808 or 1532 nm. However, also other Ln3+ ions are worth attention. Herein, we focus on the investigation of the UC phenomenon in the materials doped with Ho3+ ions, which reveal unique optical properties upon the NIR irradiation. The SrF2 NPs doped with Ho3+ ions in concentrations from 4.9% to 22.5%, were synthesized by using the hydrothermal method. The structural and optical characteristics of the obtained SrF2:Ho3+ NPs are presented. The prepared samples had crystalline structure, were built of NPs of round shapes and their sizes ranged from 16.4 to 82.3 nm. The NPs formed stable colloids in water. Under 1156 nm excitation, SrF2:Ho3+ NPs showed intense UC emission, wherein the brightest luminescence was recorded for the SrF2:10.0%Ho3+ compound. The analysis of the measured lifetime profiles and dependencies of the integral luminescence intensities on the laser energy allowed proposing the mechanism, responsible for the observed UC emission. It is worth mentioning that the described SrF2:Ho3+ samples are one of the first materials for which the UC luminescence induced by 1156 nm excitation was obtained.

Simulation of the impact of the atmospheric weather state on the efficiency of functioning of solar thermal and power plants

THE PURPOSE. Determine the impact of the meteorological state of the atmosphere on the efficiency of the functioning of solar thermal and power plants. Modeling the molecular absorption of solar radiation by the atmosphere. Modeling the optical characteristics of the gaseous components of the atmosphere, atmospheric aerosol and clouds.METHODS. A method for numerical modeling of incoming solar radiation fluxes their functioning to determine the efficiency of solar thermal and power plants. The solar fluxes are calculated by stacking layers in a multi-stream approximation, taking into account the multi-tiered cloud cover and the probability of overlapping the sky with clouds. The absorption of radiation by the gaseous phase of the atmosphere is taken into account by the method of equivalent mass in an inhomogeneous atmosphere. The optical characteristics of the dispersed phase of the atmosphere are calculated using the Mie theory.RESULTS. An electronic database has been created on the optical characteristics of the gaseous components of the atmosphere, the optical characteristics of atmospheric aerosol and clouds. The effect of anthropogenic impact on the flux of solar radiation falling on the underlying surface is taken into account. The developed modeling takes into account the effect of humidity on the optical characteristics of atmospheric aerosol and its multicomponent composition, depending on the location of the power plant.CONCLUSION. The information necessary for numerical modeling of meteorological effects on the functioning of solar thermal and power plants is generalized. When calculating solar radiation fluxes, direct illumination of the light-receiving surface by solar radiation, scattered radiation by atmospheric aerosol and clouds are taken into account.

Study on Vertically Distributed Aerosol Optical Characteristics over Saudi Arabia Using CALIPSO Satellite Data

The optical characteristics of vertically distributed aerosols over Saudi Arabia were investigated using the Cloud-Aerosol Lidar and Infrared Pathfinder Satellite Observation (CALIPSO) data from 2007 to 2019. The study region was divided into three parts (Region I: Tabuk, Makkah, Al Madinah, Asir, Al Bahah, Jizan, Riyadh, Mecca, Medina, the eastern region, Kassim, Hale, Asir, Baha, Tabuk, the northern border region, Jizan, Najilan, and Jufu. Region II: Ar, Al, Ha, Al, and Najran. Region III Al Hudud ash Shamaliyah and Ash Sharqiyah) to understand regional aerosol characteristics by performing interannual and seasonal analysis for nine aerosol types during the day and nighttime. We found that the aerosol optical depth (AOD) estimates were the highest over eastern Saudi Arabia (region III) and were seemingly driven by the presence of an expansive desert in the region. As anticipated, the AOD observations were substantially higher in spring and summer than in autumn and winter owing to the frequent occurrence of dust events during the former. Daytime observations exhibited higher AOD values than those at nighttime, which might be related to higher daytime anthropogenic activities. The estimates of the base height of the lowest aerosol layer (HB1) and the top altitude of the highest aerosol layer (TAH) were altered depending on the topography (the higher the altitude, the higher the annual mean value of HB1 and TAH). The aerosol layers (N) were relatively abundant over region III, seemingly due to the relatively stronger atmospheric convection over this region. The volume depolarization ratio of the lowest aerosol layer (VDR1) was considerable during the night due to deposition at nighttime, and VDR1 was relatively substantial in spring and summer. The color ratio of the lowest aerosol layer (CR1) estimates over regions II and III was higher at night. We report a weak positive correlation between the thickness of the lowest aerosol layer (HTH1) and the AOD of the lowest aerosol layer (AOD1) in the three regions, a strong positive correlation between TAH and N, and a negative correlation between the AOD proportion of the lowest aerosol layer (PAOD1) and N in Saudi Arabia. In this paper, the optical and physical properties of aerosols in Saudi Arabia have been studied for 13 years. Our results could provide references for researchers and the government, and relevant departments with data support on the aerosol layer to help control air pollution in Saudi Arabia.

Облучение ионами аргона Cr/4H-SiC-фотоприемников

The results of the effect of irradiation with Ar ions on the structural, electrophysical and optical characteristics of the ultraviolet Cr/4H-SiC photodetectors in the spectral range of 200−400 nm are presented. After a single irradiation with 53MeV Ar ions with a fluence of 1 · 1010 cm−2, the quantum efficiency of the photodetectors practically remained at the level of the initial samples due to the "gettering effect“ of simple radiation defects by cluster formations. The observed effect promoted a decrease in the number of simple radiation defects of the vacancy type, an increase in the lifetime of current carriers, and, as a consequence, unchanged values of the photoconductivity of Cr/4H-SiC photodetectors. After repeated irradiation of the photodetectors with Ar ions with a total fluence of 2 · 1010 cm−2, the decay of clusters was observed, the formation of a significant number of simple defect centers, which led to a decrease in the lifetime of current carriers and, as a consequence, to a decrease in photoconductivity of Cr/4H-SiC photodetectors.