PbSe nanocrystal-based infrared-to-visible up-conversion device.

Low-cost hybrid up-conversion devices with infrared sensitivity to 1.5 μm were obtained by integrating a colloidal PbSe nanocrystal near-infrared sensitizing layer on a green phosphorescent organic light emitting diode. A ZnO nanocrystal hole blocking layer is incorporated in the devices for keeping the device off in the absence of IR excitation. The maximum photon (1.3 μm)-to-photon (0.52 μm) conversion efficiency is 1.3%. The extension (until 1.5 μm) of the near-infrared wavelengths, which can be converted to visible light, may be able to improve night vision.