Abstract Up-converting rare-earth nanophosphors (UCNPs) is a sort of material which can emit short wavelength light after excited with a longer wavelength light. The UCNPs can emit different color visible fluorescence after excited with 980 nm infrared light. They have wide applications in the field of 3-D display, up-conversion laser, infrared detection, anti-counterfeiting, bio-detection, and so on. The recent research of matrix material,rare-earth ion and optical capabilities of UCNPs is briefly reviewed in this paper.
