Role of modifier ion radius in luminescence enhancement from 5D4 level of Tb3+ ion doped alkali-alumino-telluroborate glasses

Abstract

Alkali-alumino-telluroborate glasses with the different network modifier elements were prepared by melt–quenching method. Absorption, excitation, luminescence spectra as well as decay curves of 5D4 level were measured at room temperature. A phonon side band of 7F6 → 5D4 transition has been obtained from the excitation spectra of Tb3+ ion. The role of modifier ion radius in luminescence enhancement from 5D4 level of Tb3+ ion was discussed in detail. In prepared glasses, multiphonon relaxation rate from 5D3 level to 5D4 is enhanced in the host glasses containing modifier ions with large radius. This is main reason leading to the enhancement of luminescence from 5D4 level of Tb3+ ion in alkali-alumino-telluroborate glasses under excitation at 350 nm. Additionally, the Judd-Ofelt theory was used to estimate the features of ligand field and radiative properties of Tb3+ ion. The calculated results have shown that the 5D4→7F5 transition has potential applications for laser action and optical amplifier.