Several features of emission spectra of Pr+3 ions incorporated into Li2B4O7 glass matrices

Abstract

Influence of lithium tetraborate (Li2B4O7, TBL) glass matrix on the luminescent properties of the Pr+3 ions emission was investigated. It was demonstrated that the decrease of matrix long-range ordering leads to substantial widening of corresponding peaks in the emission spectra in comparison with crystalline Ca4GdO(BO3)3 matrices. During the decrease of temperature from 292 down to 82K a distinct low-energy spectral shift of the principal red luminescent band from 607to610nm is observed, which is a consequence of a coexistence of several structural borate fragments. Simulations of incorporation the Pr3+ ions into the TBL glasslike matrix were carried out using the Langevin molecular dynamics simulations and quantum chemical simulations. Possibility of partial substitution of boron ions by Pr3+ ions is demonstrated. The contribution of the electron-phonon subsystems to the spectral broadening of the corresponding emission red lines was evaluated. It was shown that the main contribution to the emission bands gives harmonic electron-phonon interactions contrary to the generally adopted model assuming prevailing role of anharmonic electron-phonon interactions.