Tunable white luminescence and energy transfer in novel Cu^+, Sm^3+ co-doped borosilicate glasses for W-LEDs

The luminescent properties of novel Cu⁺, Sm³⁺ single- and co-doped borosilicate glasses were systematically investigated by absorption, excitation, emission spectra and decay curves. Cu⁺ single-doped glasses emit broad luminescence band covering all the visible range. And their peaks shift to blue with decreasing excitation wavelength from 330 to 280 nm. Cu⁺, Sm³⁺ co-doped samples generate the varied hues from blue white to pure white and eventually to yellow white due to an efficient energy transfer from Cu⁺ to Sm³⁺. Our research indicates the potential application of Cu⁺, Sm³⁺ co-doped borosilicate glasses as converting phosphors for white LEDs pumped by UV LED chips.