Rare-earth activated SnO2 photoluminescent thin films on flexible glass: Synthesis, deposition and characterization

Flexible photonics is undoubtedly the next technological platform, capable to revolutionize current light-based technologies, thanks to their spatial freedom characteristics. Beyond polymer-based flexible photonics, the recent advent of ultrathin glasses with their mechanical flexibility has opened a new avenue for developing all-inorganic flexible photonic structures and devices. However, deposition and processing of functional coatings on such very thin glasses is an emerging challenge, in particular to obtain very good adhesion. Furthermore, to find proper management for maintaining the mechanical flexibility, investigation of impacts induced by processing and application of coatings on the ultrathin glasses is necessary.