The Latvian Academy of Sciences named the most significant achievements in science in 2017

Original, transparent glass ceramics containing fluoride nanocrystals doped with rare earth ions have been synthesised. Their optical properties, such as fluorescence efficiency and colour of the light emitted, important for various application, have been optimised by controlling the size of nanocrystals and the concentration of rare earth ions in them. The obtained oxyfluoride glass and glass ceramics effectively transform infrared radiation (IR) into the visible light. Efficiency and compatibility of the materials with optical waveguides opens the possibility to use them for building the optical sensors and IR visualisation devices. Materials that emit a white light pleasant for the human eye, retain their properties for a long time, and can be used in light sources have been obtained by changing the chemical composition of the glass. The following researchers have contributed to the study:

• Academician of the LAS, Professor, Dr.habil.phys. Uldis Rogulis,
• Dr.habil.phys. Māris Spriņģis
• Dr.phys. Anatolijs Šarakovskis
• Dr.phys. Jurģis Grūbe
• Dr.phys. Andris Fedotovs
• Dr.phys. Edgars Elsts,
• Dr.phys. Andris Antuzevičs
• Mg.sc.ing. Guna Krieķe,
• Mg.phys. Meldra Ķemere

The full list of the winners is available on the LAS homepage.