Enhanced luminescence via energy transfer from Ag+ to RE ions (Dy3+, Sm3+, Tb3+) in glasses

Oxyfluoride glasses containing Ag species and rare earth (RE) ions (Dy3+, Sm3+, Tb3+) were prepared by melt-quenching technique. The type of luminescent species of novel excitation band (230-300 nm peaked at 255 nm) and emission band (300-600 nm peaked at 350 nm) were investigated by absorption, excitation, emission spectra, as well as decay lifetime measurements and can be ascribed to isolated Ag+ ions. Owing to energy transfer from Ag+ to RE ions, significant enhancements of RE ions emission (76 times for Sm3+, 41 times for Dy3+) were observed for non-resonant UV excitation (255 nm). Our research may extend the understanding of interactions between RE ions and Ag species. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America