Enhanced UV emission of Gd3+ in glass by Ag+ co-doping

• Luminescent properties of Gd2O3 and Ag2O co-doped barium–phosphate glass assessed.
• Enhanced UV type B emission of Gd3+ observed with increasing silver concentration.
• Likely Ag+→Gd3+ energy transfer process discussed.

The first investigation on the effect of silver co-doping on the photoluminescence (PL) properties of Gd3+ ions in glass is reported. A barium–phosphate matrix is chosen as host, with the glasses being prepared by the melt-quenching technique. The PL spectroscopy assessment performed shows that with the increase in Ag+ concentration, the ultraviolet emission from Gd3+ is progressively enhanced. The data suggests a Ag+→Gd3+ excitation energy transfer occurring under the excitation at 275 nm which is resonant with the 4d10→4d95s1 (1S0→1D2) and 8S7/2→6IJ electronic transitions in the silver and gadolinium ions, respectively.

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