Iridescence and Luminescence from Opal Matrices for Show Business

The paper reports on obtaining visually appealing images from opal matrices to artificial samples comprising regular packing of monodisperse silica globules. We show the images of iridescence, photoluminescence, and both of them simultaneously, exciting upconversion luminescence of Er3+ ions from BaTiO3 xerogel/opal matrix. Opal matrix with BaTiO3 xerogel doped with Er3+ and Yb3+ ions demonstrates upconversion luminescence under excitation with the wavelength 980 nm of the laser with the main bands ranging from 500 to 570 nm and 640–700 nm, corresponding to the transitions from the excited states 2H11/2, 4S3/2, 4F9/2, 4I9/2 to the ground state 4I15/2 of trivalent Er ions. In our view, the synthesis of opal matrices along with the generation of luminescent xerogels doped, for example, with trivalent lanthanides, is a promising approach for obtaining colorful images, always very individual and often very attractive, bringing joy and pleasure at concerts and other show business events.