Fluorescence properties of Eu3+ ions doped borate and fluoroborate glasses containing lithium, zinc and lead

The influence of glass composition on the fluorescence properties of Eu3+ ions doped borate and fluoroborate glasses modified with Li+, Zn2+ and Pb2+ cations have been investigated. The magnitude of splittings of F-7(1) levels are analyzed using crystal-field (CF) analysis. The relative intensities of 5D(0)-> F-7(2) to D-5(0)-> F-7(1) transitions, crystal-field strength parameters and decay times of the D-5(0) level have been determined and are found to be lower for Pb based glasses than those of Zn/Li based glasses. The lifetimes of D-1(0) level are found to increase when borate glasses are modified with pure fluorides than with oxides and oxyfluorides. The fluorescence decay of D-5(0) level fits perfect single exponential in the Eu3+:glass systems studied which indicates the absence of energy transfer between Eu3+ ions in these glasses. (c) 2005 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.