Enhanced luminescence via energy transfer from Ag^+ to RE ions (Dy^3+, Sm^3+, Tb^3+) in glasses

Oxyfluoride glasses containing Ag species and rare earth (RE) ions (Dy(3+), Sm(3+), Tb(3+)) 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 Sm(3+), 41 times for Dy(3+)) were observed for non-resonant UV excitation (255 nm). Our research may extend the understanding of interactions between RE ions and Ag species.