Spectroscopic characterization and optical waveguide fabrication in Ce 3+, Tb 3+ and Ce 3+/Tb 3+ doped zinc–sodium–aluminosilicate glasses

Abstract

A spectroscopy investigation of Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ ions in sodium–zinc–aluminosilicate glasses is performed using the photoluminescence technique. Blue–white light, with x = 0.24 and y = 0.24 CIE chromaticity coordinates, is obtained for the Tb 3+ singly-doped glass excited at 351 nm. When the sodium–zinc–aluminosilicate glass is co-doped with Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ a non-radiative energy transfer from Ce 3+ to Tb 3+ ions is observed upon 320 nm excitation. From an analysis of the cerium emission decay curve, the Ce 3+ → Tb 3+ energy transfer microscopic parameter and efficiency are obtained. Different concentrations of Ce 3+ and Tb 3+ ions in the glass host gives rise to blue and blue–green emissions, with different CIE coordinates. Optical waveguides were produced in the samples by Ag +–Na + ion-exchange, and their characterization is presented.