Enhanced luminescence of Tb3+/Eu3+ doped tellurium oxide glass containing silver nanostructures

Abstract

We report on energy transfer studies in terbium (Tb3+)—europium (Eu3+) doped TeO2–ZnO–Na2O–PbO glass containing silver nanostructures. The samples excitation was made using ultraviolet radiation at 355 nm. Luminescence spectra were recorded from ≈480 to ≈700 nm. Enhanced Eu3+ luminescence at ≈590 nm (transition D50−F71) and ≈614 nm (transition D50−F72) are observed. The large luminescence enhancement was obtained due to the simultaneous contribution of the Tb3+–Eu3+ energy transfer and the contribution of the intensified local field on the Eu3+ ions located near silver nanostructures.