Enhanced optical functionalities in silica by doping with Au-based nanostructures

The sensitization mechanism of Er3+ ions by sub-nanometric Au_N aggregates formed in silica by sequential ion implantation has been investigated by room temperature photoluminescence characterizations. Er–Au co-implanted samples with different Au and Er relative concentrations have been studied. The results allowed to point out a correlation between the luminescence properties of the molecule-like Au_N nanoclusters and the Er sensitization effect and to definitely prove the short-range nature of the energy-transfer process.