Synthesis of luminescent sol-gel materials for active electronic devices

Production of luminescent glasses by traditional methods can be expensive and the final products can absorb impurities owing to the high temperatures involved which reduce the luminescent efficiency. The sol-gel method provides a lower temperature alternative to synthesising these glasses, giving improved homogeneity and greater control over the composition and conditions. The incorporation of rare-earth activators into various silica glass matrices using sol-gel techniques is described and selected results are given. The paper covers general applications of these products, giving a brief but valuable insight into this vast subject area