Luminescence quenching of Dy3+ ions in lead bismuthate glasses

► Luminescence of lead bismuthate glasses doped with Dy3+ has been studied. ► Two overlapping luminescence bands correspond to transitions of Bi3+ and Dy3+. ► Luminescence of Dy3+ is efficiently quenched by Bi3+ ions. ► The excitation energy transfer from Dy3+ to Bi3+ is nonradiative. ► Quenching of Dy3+ is confirmed by calculations using Inokuti-Hirayama model.