White-light excitable NaYF 4 :Nd 3+ for ultraviolet anti-counterfeiting applications
Abstract
Using luminescent technology for security verification holds promise for optical anti-counterfeiting. However, existing strategies often struggle in brightly lit environments due to ambient light interference. To address this issue, we introduce NaYF 4 :Nd 3+ as a flexible platform for ultraviolet (UV) luminescence in security applications. This phosphor exhibits readily detectable upconversion luminescence under intense white-light illumination, emitting at 354 nm—a wavelength beyond the typical indoor spectrum—for background-free signal detection. Driven by a two-photon excitation mechanism with an illumination threshold of 80 mW·cm −2 , UV imaging under daylight validates its reliability. This approach offers a robust, real-world solution for effective anti-counterfeiting.
Fields of Study & Subjects
Luminescence Properties of Advanced Materials
Solid State Laser Technologies
Luminescence and Fluorescent Materials
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Optics Letters
- Publisher
- Optica Publishing Group
- Volume
- 51
- Issue
- 3
- Pages
- 736–736
- Publication date
- 12 January 2026
- Language
- EN