Cathodoluminescent enhancement of Na3YSi3O9:Tb3+ glass ceramic by Ag nanoislands surface plasmon effect

The effects of Ag nanoisland structure on the surface of Na3YSi3O9:Tb3+ glass ceramic was studied by cathodoluminescence and atomic force microscopy. Under electron beam excitation, the emission spectrum shape and main peaks were not affected by the Ag nanoisland structure, but about a fourfold enhancement in emission intensity was observed. The enhancement factor increased remarkably with increasing accelerating voltage and then stabilized to a constant. However, the increasing filament current did not affect the enhancement factor. These results suggest that surface plasmon resonance is beneficial to improve cathodoluminescent intensity.