Theoretical calculations and experimental investigations of lead phosphate glasses singly doped with Pr3+ and Tm3+ ions using luminescence spectroscopy

Lead phosphate glasses singly-doped with selected Ln3+ ions (Ln = Pr, Tm) were prepared by traditional melt-quenching method. The effect of concentration of optical active dopants in glass composition on spectroscopic properties of lead phosphate glasses were systematically investigated based on excitation, visible and near-infrared emission spectra as well as luminescence decay analysis. It was found that the luminescence intensity decreases with increasing content of Pr3+ and Tm3+ ions due to the concentration quenching. Also, the luminescence lifetimes of 1D2, 1G4 (Pr3+) and 1D2, 3H4 (Tm3+) states decrease with increasing concentration of both ions. Based on luminescence decay analysis and calculations using theoretical Inokuti-Hirayama model it was confirmed that non-radiative processes like cross-relaxation among the donor systems are dominate and influence direct donor-acceptor energy transfer in lead phosphate glasses. Moreover, the obtained results suggest clearly lower self-quenching emission in lead phosphate glasses doped with Pr3+ than Tm3+ ions.

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