Excitation-power responsive upconversion logic operations based on the multiphoton process of a praseodymium ion

Controlling the spectral regulation properties of upconversion (UC) materials by external stimuli, particularly excitation power, is a convenient method that is essential for a variety of studies. Here, we report a Pr3+ ion single-doped material that can perform the spectral regulation by manipulating the excitation power density due to its unique multiphoton processes, which provide a new concept for developing of logic operations. The obtained Pr3+ ion single-doped material can realize the spectral regulation under the excitation of a 980 nm laser due to the unique 4f level structure characteristics of the Pr3+ ion, which could be used to further design other UC spectral control materials by combining other rare-earth ions based on its unique multiphoton process. Inspired by this, these UC materials could be utilized to design elementary logic operations (INHIBIT, XOR, and OR) and integrative logic operations, which open up novel opportunities for the functionalization of micro/nanostructured materials.