A Review on Optical Applications, Prospects, and Challenges of Rare-Earth Oxides

Abstract

In small- and large-scale industries, manipulable optical characteristics are desired. In this regard, rare-earth oxides (REOs) have been providing pragmatic attributes in terms of successful implementations and promising prospects throughout the last few decades. Currently, there is no comprehensive literature review on REOs that can aid researchers in focusing on industry-relevant emerging materials. Therefore, this review reports studies that have been able to experimentally utilize the physical, chemical, thermal, electronic, spectroscopic, and photocatalytic properties of REOs in the optical field. The brief and focused review finds that the most pronounced applications of REOs in the optical field are in white light and laser, while the prospective ground likely lies in optoelectronics, fiber optic applications, and miscellaneous repertoires that incorporate an innovative utilization of an electronic configuration of REOs. From the perspective of this review, the versatility of an REO in the optical field has become prominent and quantified by the successful implementations of REOs in white light and nonwhite light applications. Furthermore, the innovative applications of REOs include but are not limited to the development of solid-state optical devices, optoelectronic systems, and photocatalytic agents. Specifically, their futuristic applications are likely to be led by the development of stronger emission devices and the obtaining of flexible doping characteristics by several ions such as Li+, Eu3+, Dy3+, Nd3+, La3+, Yb3+, etc. at different levels, which will render the pathway for further exploration in this regard. However, the improvement in terms of methodological attributes requires a serious consideration of overcoming the limitation of thermal stability, lack of exploration of several types of lights, photodarkening in critical applications, lack of applicability at a wide range of temperatures, and so on. From an industrial perspective, it can be conjectured from the reported literature that the challenges will be overcome at a large scale within a few years due to the expedited technological advancements of the experimental repertoires, rendering the REO applications in the optical field reasonably economic and commercially viable. In short, this is the first review that objectively considers the applications and prospects of REOs, which will essentially invoke several studies to investigate the specific properties and viability of REOs in the optical field.

Thermal Stability, Optical Properties, and Gamma Shielding Properties of Tellurite Glass Modified with Potassium Chloride

“…Using the following Equations [ 10 , 14 , 36 , 51 ], it is crucial to investigate the change in T g as a function of the number of bonds per unit volume (Nb) and the average bond stretching force constant (F): where n f is the number of bonds per unit glass formula, N A is the Avogadro number (N A = 6.022 × 10 23 mol −1 ), x i is the mole fraction of the oxide, f is the first order stretching force constant, and r is the cation radius. The values of n f and r for these oxides are reported in the literature [ 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 ].…”

“…P 2 O 5 , B 2 O 3 , and other glass-forming oxides, such as alkali, rare-earth, transition, and post-transition metal ions, can be added to the host glass matrix to increase the melt-quenching and thermal stability, as well as optical capabilities. The glass system characteristics have improved significantly, making them ideal candidates for a wide range of optical and radiation detection applications [ 1 , 4 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 ]. When Nb 2 O 5 is added to TeO 2 , the glass develops a narrow domain, improves vitrification, and raises the refractive index [ 16 , 17 ].…”

Fullerene Derivative with Flexible Alkyl Chain for Efficient Tin-Based Perovskite Solar Cells

“…The higher water resistance stability of the PCBH film may be attributed to the physical entanglement of the extended flexible alkyl chain, which leads to a denser film. The denser film of PCBH may have increased the electron transport and collection efficiency [ 35 ], as well as suppressing the potential of oxygen injection [ 42 , 43 ]. Therefore, we recorded the XPS Sn 3d spectra of the different perovskite films with the upper fullerene layer removed.…”

Synthesis and optical spectroscopy of Na3Y(VO4)2:Eu3+ phosphors for thermometry and display applications

“…Rare earth doped phosphors have been widely used in recent years in a variety of applications, ranging from light sources and displays to catalysts and biomarkers. 1–5 Contactless optical thermometry has recently received a lot of interest as a novel approach with great detection sensitivity, spatial resolution, and a short acquisition time. 6–10 Contactless optical thermometry has recently received a lot of interest as a novel approach with great detection sensitivity, spatial resolution, and a short acquisition time.…”