Index of refraction matched nanoparticles and methods of use

1. A luminescent or scintillation material, comprising:

a nanoparticle with a core having an index of refraction and at least one shell partially or totally enclosing the core, wherein when an additional shell is present, each partially or totally enclose the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein each of the at least one shells has an index of refraction, wherein the shell enclosing the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 50% different than the index of refraction of the core, wherein when one or more additional shells are present each will have an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 20% different than the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein the outer most shell furthest away from the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of a matrix material in which the nanoparticle is dispersed, wherein the core is a non-metal, and wherein each shell is independently selected from a non-metal.

2. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , wherein the diameter of the core of the nanoparticle is about 1 to 250 nm and the thickness of each shell present is about 1 to 30 nm.

3. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , wherein the core is doped with one or more dopants, wherein the dopant is selected from the group consisting of: a transition metal ion, a lanthanide ion, an alkali metal, an alkali earth metal, and a combination thereof, wherein the dopant does not change the nature of the core from non-metallic to metallic.

4. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , wherein the core is doped with at least Ce.

5. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , wherein one or more shells is doped by one or more ionic species.

6. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 5 , wherein at least two shells are doped by one or more ionic species.

7. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 5 , wherein each doped shell includes the same type of dopant, wherein the amount of dopant in each doped layer is different.

8. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 5 , wherein each doped shell includes at least one different type of dopant.

9. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 5 , wherein the difference between the index of refraction of adjacent shells is up to about 10%.

10. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , wherein one or more shells is doped with at least Ce.

11. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , where the core of the nanoparticle is luminescent.

12. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , where at least one shell of the nanoparticle is luminescent.

13. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , where the nanoparticle contains a combination of a luminescent core and at least one luminescent shell.

14. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , where the matrix is luminescent.

15. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , wherein the matrix and the nanoparticle are luminescent.

16. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , wherein the matrix is luminescent and the nanoparticle is non-luminescent.

17. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , wherein the matrix includes at least 50% of silicone, polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or polyvinyl toluene (PVT).

18. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 1 , where the matrix contains less than 50% of conjugated and aromatic organic molecules, 1,4-bis-2-(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)benzene (POPOP), 1,4-bis(4-methyl-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)benzene (DM-POPOP) 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (butyl-PBD),2-(4-biphenylyl)-6-phenylbenzoxazole (PBBO), 2-(1-napthyl)-5-phenyloxazole(“alpha”-NPO), 1,4-bis(2-methylstyryl)benzene (bis-MSB), 2,5-bis(5-tert-butyl-2-benzoxazolyl)thiophene (BBOT), p-terphenyl, 2,7-diphenyl-9,9-dipropylfluorene (PPF), 2,7-bis(4-t-amylphenyl)-9,9-dipropylfluorene (d-amyl-PPF), 2,7-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-9,9-dipropylfluorene (d-MeO-PPF), 7,7-diphenyl-9,9,9′,9′-tetrapropy-2,2′-bifluorene (PF2), naphthalene, 2,5-Diphenyloxazole (PPO or DPO), anthracene, stilbene, or a combination thereof.

19. A luminescent or scintillating material comprising two or more types of nanoparticles, with at least one type of nanoparticle having at least one shell that matches the index of refraction of the matrix, wherein the nanoparticle has a core having an index of refraction and at least one shell partially or totally enclosing the core, wherein when an additional shell is present, each partially or totally enclose the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein each of the at least one shells has an index of refraction, wherein the shell enclosing the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 50% different than the index of refraction of the core, wherein when one or more additional shells are present each will have an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 20% different than the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein the outer most shell furthest away from the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix material, wherein the core is a non-metal, and wherein each shell is independently selected from a non-metal.

20. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 19 , where the matrix is luminescent and the nanoparticles are non-luminescent.

21. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 19 , where the matrix and at least one type of nanoparticle are luminescent.

22. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 19 , where at least one type of nanoparticle is luminescent and the matrix is non-luminescent.

23. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 19 , where the matrix includes at least 50% of silicone, polystyrene or poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or polyvinyl toluene (PVT).

24. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 19 , where the matrix is contains less than 50% of conjugated and aromatic organic molecules, 1,4-bis-2-(5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)benzene (POPOP), 1,4-bis(4-methyl-5-phenyloxazol-2-yl)benzene (DM-POPOP) 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole (PBD), 2-(4-biphenylyl)-5-(4-tert-butylphenyl)-1,3,4-oxadiazole (butyl-PBD),2-(4-biphenylyl)-6-phenylbenzoxazole (PBBO), 2-(1-napthyl)-5-phenyloxazole(“alpha”-NPO), 1,4-bis(2-methylstyryl)benzene (bis-MSB), 2,5-bis(5-tert-butyl-2-benzoxazolyl)thiophene (BBOT), p-terphenyl, 2,7-diphenyl-9,9-dipropylfluorene (PPF), 2,7-bis(4-t-amylphenyl)-9,9-dipropylfluorene (d-amyl-PPF), 2,7-bis(4-methoxyphenyl)-9,9-dipropylfluorene (d-MeO-PPF), 7,7-diphenyl-9,9,9′,9′-tetrapropy-2,2′-bifluorene (PF2), naphthalene, 2,5-Diphenyloxazole (PPO or DPO), anthracene, stilbene, or a combination thereof.

25. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 19 , wherein the core is doped with at least Ce.

26. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 19 , wherein one or more shells is doped with at least Ce.

27. The luminescent or scintillating material of claim 19 , wherein one or more shells is a polymeric material with and without a luminescent dopant.

28. A luminescent or scintillating material comprising a nanoparticle that has at least one shell that matches the index of refraction of a luminescent matrix, wherein the nanoparticle has a core having an index of refraction and at least one shell partially or totally enclosing the core, wherein when an additional shell is present, each partially or totally enclose the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein each of the at least one shells has an index of refraction, wherein the shell enclosing the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 50% different than the index of refraction of the core, wherein when one or more additional shells are present each will have an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 20% different than the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein the outer most shell furthest away from the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the luminescent matrix, wherein the core is a non-metal, and wherein each shell is independently selected from a non-metal.

29. A radiation detection or measurement method, comprising:

exposing a luminescent or scintillating material to a radiation energy, radioactive material, neutron, energetic particle, x-rays or, gamma-rays, wherein the luminescent material includes a plurality of index of refraction matched nanoparticles in a matrix, wherein the radiation source causes luminescence or scintillation in at least one type of nanoparticle, wherein the index of refraction of the outermost shell of the index of refraction matched nanoparticle is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix, wherein the nanoparticle has a core having an index of refraction and at least one shell partially or totally enclosing the core, wherein when an additional shell is present, each partially or totally enclose the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein each of the at least one shells has an index of refraction, wherein the shell enclosing the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 50% different than the index of refraction of the core, wherein when one or more additional shells are present each will have an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 20% different than the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein the outer most shell furthest away from the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix; and

detecting or measuring the luminescence or scintillation from the luminescent material.

30. A radiation detection or measurement method, comprising:

exposing a luminescent or scintillating material to a radiation energy, radioactive material, neutron, energetic particle, x-rays or, gamma-rays, wherein the luminescent material includes a plurality of index of refraction matched nanoparticles of in a matrix, wherein the radiation source causes luminescence or scintillation of the matrix, wherein the index of refraction of the outermost shell of the index of refraction matched nanoparticle is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix, wherein the nanoparticle has a core having an index of refraction and at least one shell partially or totally enclosing the core, wherein when an additional shell is present, each partially or totally enclose the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein each of the at least one shells has an index of refraction, wherein the shell enclosing the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 50% different than the index of refraction of the core, wherein when one or more additional shells are present each will have an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 20% different than the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein the outer most shell furthest away from the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix; and

detecting or measuring the luminescence or scintillation from the luminescent material.

31. A radiation detection or measurement method, comprising:

exposing a luminescent or scintillating material to a radiation energy, radioactive material, neutron, energetic particle, x-rays, or gamma-rays, wherein the luminescent material includes a plurality of index of refraction matched nanoparticles of in a matrix, wherein the radiation source causes luminescence or scintillation of at least one type of nanoparticle and of the matrix, wherein the index of refraction of the outermost shell of the index of refraction matched nanoparticle is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix, wherein the nanoparticle has a core having an index of refraction and at least one shell partially or totally enclosing the core, wherein when an additional shell is present, each partially or totally enclose the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein each of the at least one shells has an index of refraction, wherein the shell enclosing the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 50% different than the index of refraction of the core, wherein when one or more additional shells are present each will have an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 20% different than the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein the outer most shell furthest away from the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix; and

detecting or measuring the luminescence or scintillation from the luminescent material.

32. A radiation detector, comprising:

a structure comprising a luminescent or scintillating material, wherein the luminescent material includes a plurality of index of refraction matched nanoparticles of in a matrix, wherein the radiation source causes luminescence or scintillation of at least one type of nanoparticle, wherein the index of refraction of the outermost shell of the index of refraction matched nanoparticles is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix; and a photodetector and its electronics and power supply to detect or measure the luminescence or scintillation from the index of refraction matched nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticle has a core having an index of refraction and at least one shell partially or totally enclosing the core, wherein when an additional shell is present, each partially or totally enclose the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein each of the at least one shells has an index of refraction, wherein the shell enclosing the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 50% different than the index of refraction of the core, wherein when one or more additional shells are present each will have an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 20% different than the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein the outer most shell furthest away from the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix.

33. A radiation detector, comprising:

a structure comprising a luminescent material, wherein the luminescent material includes a plurality of index of refraction matched nanoparticles of in a matrix, wherein the radiation source causes luminescence or scintillation of the matrix, wherein the index of refraction of the outermost shell of the index of refraction matched nanoparticles is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix; and a photodetector and its electronics and power supply to detect or measure the luminescence or scintillation from the index of refraction matched nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticle has a core having an index of refraction and at least one shell partially or totally enclosing the core, wherein when an additional shell is present, each partially or totally enclose the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein each of the at least one shells has an index of refraction, wherein the shell enclosing the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 50% different than the index of refraction of the core, wherein when one or more additional shells are present each will have an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 20% different than the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein the outer most shell furthest away from the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix.

34. A radiation detector, comprising:

a structure comprising a luminescent or scintillating material, wherein the luminescent material includes a plurality of index of refraction matched nanoparticles of in a matrix, wherein the radiation source causes luminescence or scintillation of the matrix and at least one type of nanoparticle, wherein the index of refraction of the outermost shell of the index of refraction matched nanoparticles is about 0.1 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix; and a photodetector and its electronics and power supply to detect or measure the luminescence or scintillation from the index of refraction matched nanoparticles, wherein the nanoparticle has a core having an index of refraction and at least one shell partially or totally enclosing the core, wherein when an additional shell is present, each partially or totally enclose the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein each of the at least one shells has an index of refraction, wherein the shell enclosing the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 50% different than the index of refraction of the core, wherein when one or more additional shells are present each will have an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 20% different than the adjacent shell closest to the core, wherein the outer most shell furthest away from the core has an index of refraction that is about 0.0001 to 10% different from that of the index of refraction of the matrix.