Novel Er³⁺ Perfluorinated Complexes for Broadband Sensitized Near Infrared Emission

The synthesis and characterization of novel fluorinated Er 3+ complexes emitting at the telecommunications wavelengths are presented. These new knowledge-based materials have been designed and optimized on the basis of an extensive photophysical investigation on the processes controlling the overall quantum yield, namely (i) the energy transfer process from the light harvesting conjugated antenna to the emitting ion and (ii) the nonradiative quenching of the lanthanide emission. The study of their photophysical properties has been used for the assessment of their application as active materials in a new generation of low-cost, optical communication amplifiers, based on solution-processed planar waveguides pumped by light emitting diodes (LEDs). Suitable ligands possessing a high-absorption cross-section (where commercially available LEDs operate), good energy level matching those of the ion, and high solubility in fluorinated polymers have been developed.