Photoluminescence and afterglow in samarium-doped zirconia toward biological temperature sensor

Abstract

This study describes the investigation of photoluminescence (PL) and afterglow properties of samarium ion (Sm³⁺)-doped zirconia and the comparison with those of pure zirconia. The pure sample exhibits bluish PL and afterglow upon excitation by ultraviolet light, whereas white-to-reddish PL and white afterglow are detected by means of visual observation and spectroscopic measurement in the doped samples. It is therefore suggested that the Sm³⁺-doped zirconia is applicable to a temperature-sensing probe for the human body because it shows afterglow PL in the near-infrared “biological window” region.