Boltzmann-distribution-dominated persistent luminescence ratiometric thermometry in NaYF:Pr.

A novel, to the best of our knowledge, optical temperature measurement method is proposed, i.e., persistent luminescence intensity ratio (PLIR) thermometry. The PLIR thermometry relies on the micro-sized NaYF:Pr material that can emit persistent luminescence (PersL) uninterruptedly after being charged by x ray irradiation. The P→H and P→H PersL transitions, locating separately at ∼ 522 and 538 nm, have been confirmed to follow the Boltzmann distribution. The emitting intensity ratio of this pair of PersL lines is thus found to be a good indicator of the variation of temperature. Our work is expected to enrich the optical temperature sensing family.