Buildup of the acceptor emission as a result of energy transfer from Tb 3+ to Sm 3+ in barium borate glass

Abstract

Intensity and lifetime data indicate that the self-quenching of Sm 3+ fluorescence in barium borate glass matrix is by direct dipole-quadrupole interactions. The quenching of Tb 3+ fluorescence by Sm 3+ has been found due to direct dipole-dipole interactions. However, at relatively low Sm 3+ concentrations, energy transfer through migration among Tb 3+ ions also occurs. Further at low Sm 3+ concentrations, there is an enhancement of Sm 3+ emission due to energy transfer to an Sm 3+ that is not coupled to a second Tb 3+ or Sm 3+ ion. At high Sm 3+ concentrations, no enhancement of Sm 3+ emission occurs and is attributed to transfer to Sm 3+Sm 3+ or Sm 3+Tb 3+ couples that take up the energy by simultaneous transitions that lie well below the 4G 5 2 manifold of Sm 3+.