X-ray damage control and Synchrotron advanced characterization of persistent luminescence transparent glass ceramics

• Grant number: 22/13267-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: January 01, 2023
• End date: December 31, 2024
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry - Inorganic Chemistry
• Agreement: Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO)
• Principal Investigator: Lucas Carvalho Veloso Rodrigues
• Grantee: Roger Gomes Fernandes
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química (IQ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 21/05603-1 - Follow the charge: using advanced optical and X-ray spectroscopy to master charge transfer processes in phosphors, AP.R

Abstract

Luminescent materials (also called phosphors) can emit light after energy is provided to the material. Typical applications include solid-state lighting (e.g., LEDs), lasers, and medical imaging. In some crystalline materials, impurities or imperfections in the crystal lattice can create defects (or traps) that extend the time between absorption and light emission. However, insufficient knowledge about the trapping mechanisms is made by a trial-and-error approach, which makes essential a deep understanding of the chemical and structural nature of the defects. In this project, we focus on the syntheses of highly transparent persistent luminescence glass ceramics and their characterization using advanced high-resolution spatially resolved X-ray absorption/fluorescence/diffraction based on synchrotron radiation. This approach will provide the conditions to probe, to elucidate and to infer the possible trapping mechanism responsible for persistent luminescence, which is so far not completely understood. With this approach, we expect to contribute to understanding the trapping mechanism in transparent persistent glass ceramics and develop new materials with high luminescent performance. (AU)