Time resolved fluorescence measurements on Tb3+ and Mn2+ doped glasses

Abstract

Tb3+ (4f8) and Mn2+ (3d5) ions, known as active luminescent centres for blue, green and red fluorescence, were doped in various fluoride, phosphate and Silicate glasses with well known structure. Narrow bands of f-f transitions with strong emission of Tb3+ in the blue, green and red and broad bands of d-d transitions of Mn2+ were measured with green emission in high optical basicity glasses with tetrahedrally coordinated Mn2+. Orange to red Mn2+ emission was found in glasses with low optical basicity where Mn2+ is octahedrally coordinated. Lifetimes, τe, in the range of milliseconds were recorded in dependence of glass composition and dopant concentration for both Tb3+ and Mn2+ doped glasses. Fluorescence lifetimes are as well shortened by higher basicity of the glasses as by increasing dopant concentration.