Site-dependent fluorescence and hole-burning spectra of Eu 3+-doped Al 2O 3–SiO 2 glasses

Abstract

Site distributions of Eu 3+ ions doped in Al 2O 3–SiO 2 glasses were studied by the fluorescence line narrowing (FLN) and the persistent spectral hole-burning (PSHB) spectroscopies. The FLN spectra showed that the Eu 3+ ions were accommodated in two different site distributions related to rich or poor phase in Al–O polyhedra in the glass network structure. The PSHB that was formed by the laser-induced rearrangement of the OH bonds in the coordinating sphere of the Eu 3+ ions was thermally refilled. The burnt state of the Eu 3+ ions in the Al–O rich phase exhibited high barrier height and the burnt hole was more stable up to high temperatures compared with that for the Al–O poor phase.