Full color photoluminescence of Tb3+/Sm3+ codoped oxyfluoride aluminosilicate glasses and glass ceramics for white light emitting diodes

A spectroscopic investigation of Tb3+/Sm3+ codoped SiO2–Al2O3–CaO–CaF2 glasses and glass ceramics is presented. Full color photoluminescence combining blue, green and orange-red light was realized by ultraviolet light excitation. The emission spectra showed that the intensity was enhanced with the increasing concentration of F− anions. Meanwhile, the self-quenching effect of Sm3+ ions and an energy transfer from Tb3+ to Sm3+ ions were evidenced. Significantly increased luminescent intensity was observed from glasses to glass ceramics, which was attributed to the precipitation of rare-earth ions into the lower phonon energy CaF2 crystallites.