Tunable white luminescence and energy transfer in (Cu^+)_2, Eu^3+ codoped sodium silicate glasses

Luminescent properties of (Cu+)2, Eu3+ single-doped and codoped sodium silicate glasses were systematically investigated by excitation spectra, emission spectra, and decay curves. Due to the efficient energy transfer from (Cu+)2 pairs to Eu3+, varied hues from green to yellowish white and eventually to orange were generated by tuning the content of Eu3+. A perfect white-light emission with CIE coordinates (X=0.336,Y=0.346) was realized in (Cu+)2, Eu3+ and Ce3+ codoped samples. Our research indicates the potential application of (Cu+)2, Eu3+ codoped sodium silicate glasses for converting phosphors for UV LED chips to generate white LEDs.