Development of Flexible and Transparent Upconversion Display by Using Polymer-Ceramics Composite

Abstract

Fabrication and characterization of a flexible and transparent upconversion display made of a composites of YF₃: Er³⁺/Yb³⁺ nanoparticles and polymer matrices. To decrease the light scattering loss, the refractive indices of them were adjusted between the particles and polymers in visible wavelength range. The composites were prepared by an UV polymerization of a monomer mixture dispersed with the particles. The obtained materials are flexible and highly transparent as a transmittance of 80 % for a sample with 1 mm thickness at 589 nm. The fabricated flexible and transparent composite sheets showed green upconversion luminescence under a 980-nm excitation. A luminescent graphic on the bent surface of the display drawn by scanning an IR pump laser was clear and bright enough to be visible in ambient room lighting conditions.