Unlocking Enhanced Optical Performance with Photon Avalanching Nanoparticles

Introduction

Nonlinear optics has long been a critical field in advancing technologies such as telecommunications, high-resolution imaging, and quantum computing. However, generating strong nonlinear optical responses typically requires intense light fields or sophisticated setups that are not always practical for widespread commercial applications. Our patented system introduces a groundbreaking approach using photon avalanching nanoparticles to create giant nonlinear optical responses, offering enhanced optical performance across a wide range of industries, from telecommunications to medical imaging.

The Need for More Efficient Nonlinear Optical Systems

Traditional methods of achieving nonlinear optical responses often rely on high-intensity laser beams or complex arrangements of materials. This poses significant limitations, including the need for expensive equipment and inefficient energy use. For industries like optoelectronics and telecommunications, where speed, efficiency, and precision are paramount, finding ways to improve nonlinear optical interactions while minimizing complexity is critical.

In biomedical imaging, the need for high-resolution techniques capable of penetrating deeper into tissues has also grown, and nonlinear optics provides a promising solution. Yet, the challenge remains in scaling these systems for broader applications that can be both cost-effective and highly efficient.

Photon Avalanching Nanoparticles: A Game-Changing Approach

Our patented system leverages photon avalanching nanoparticles to generate giant nonlinear optical responses. These nanoparticles amplify the optical signal by a cascading process that creates an avalanche effect, delivering significantly stronger responses from lower light intensities. This approach drastically improves the efficiency of nonlinear optical systems while reducing the complexity and cost traditionally associated with such technologies.

The enhanced optical responses made possible by this system open up numerous applications, including telecommunications systems that require fast, accurate data transmission and optoelectronic devices that rely on precise light manipulation. Moreover, this technology is particularly well-suited for the healthcare sector, where nonlinear optical effects can be used to develop next-generation imaging systems with greater resolution and depth. In quantum computing, the use of photon avalanching nanoparticles can lead to more efficient optical systems, enhancing computational power and stability.

Key Benefits

Enhanced Optical Responses: The system’s ability to generate strong nonlinear responses from lower-intensity light leads to more efficient optical systems across multiple industries.
Reduced Complexity: By using photon avalanching nanoparticles, the need for high-intensity lasers and complex setups is minimized, making the technology more accessible.
Versatile Applications: From telecommunications to healthcare imaging and quantum research, this system has wide-ranging potential for improving performance and precision.
Cost-Effective Solution: The reduced need for high-power sources and intricate designs translates to lower costs and greater scalability for commercial use.

A New Standard in Nonlinear Optics

Licensing this system for facilitating giant nonlinear optical responses with photon avalanching nanoparticles offers an opportunity to bring cutting-edge technology to industries seeking more efficient, precise, and scalable optical solutions. Whether applied in telecommunications, optoelectronics, or advanced imaging, this innovation represents the future of high-performance optical systems.

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Abstract
Claims

Exemplary nanoparticle and method for inducing photon avalanching using a nanoparticle can be provided. The nanoparticle can include, for example, at least 99% thulium doped nanocrystals of the nanoparticle. The nanoparticle can be composed of solely thulium. An atomic concentration of the thulium can be at least 8%. A near infrared excitation wavelength of the nanocrystals can be greater than about 1064 nm. The near infrared excitation wavelength can be between about 1400 nm to about 1490 nm. A passivated shell(s) can be included which can surround the nanocrystals.

What is claimed is:

1. A nanoparticle for inducing photon avalanching, comprising:

at least 99% thulium doped nanocrystals.

2. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein the nanoparticle is composed of solely thulium.

3. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein an atomic concentration of the thulium is at least 8%.

4. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein a near infrared excitation wavelength of the nanocrystals is greater than about 1064 nm.

5. The nanoparticle of claim 4, wherein the near infrared excitation wavelength is between about 1400 nm to about 1490 nm.

6. The nanoparticle of claim 1, further comprising at least one passivated shell surrounding the nanocrystals.

7. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein a Yb³⁺ sensitizer is omitted.

8. The nanoparticle of claim 1, wherein nanoparticle includes 100% of the thulium doped nanocrystals.

9. A nanoparticle for inducing photon avalanching, comprising:

a plurality of nanocrystals, wherein a combined size of the nanocrystals is less than 100 nanometers in three-dimensional space.

10. The nanoparticle of paragraph 9, wherein a near infrared excitation wavelength of the nanocrystals is greater than about 1064 nm.

11. The nanoparticle of paragraph 10, wherein the near infrared excitation wavelength is between about 1400 nm to about 1490 nm.

12. The nanoparticle of paragraph 10, wherein the near infrared excitation wavelength is at most about 1450 nm.

13. The nanoparticle of paragraph 9, further comprising at least one passivated shell surrounding the nanocrystals.

14. A method for inducing photon avalanching, comprising:

utilizing a nanoparticle having at least 99% thulium doped nanocrystals.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the nanoparticle is composed of solely thulium.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein an atomic concentration of the thulium is at least 8%.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein a near infrared excitation wavelength of the nanocrystals is greater than about 1064 nm.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the near infrared excitation wavelength is between about 1400 nm to about 1490 nm.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising at least one passivated shell surrounding the nanocrystals.

20. The method of claim 14, wherein a Yb³⁺ sensitizer is omitted.

Title

System and method for providing and/or facilitating giant nonlinear optical responses from photon avalanching nanoparticles

Inventor(s)

P. James Schuck, Changwan Lee, Emma Xu, Kaiyuan Yao, Emory Chan, Bruce Cohen, Ayelet Teitelboim, Yawei Liu, Yung Doug Suh, Sang Hwan Nam

Assignee(s)

Columbia University in the City of New York

Patent #

20220163384

Patent Date

May 26, 2022