Energy transfer from Tb3 + to Eu3 + in lead borate glass

•Luminescence properties of Tb3 +–Eu3 + co-doped lead borate glasses were studied.•The energy transfer from Tb3 + to Eu3 + ions in lead borate glass was observed.•The energy transfer efficiency is close to 18%.

Luminescence properties of Tb3 +–Eu3 + doubly doped lead borate glasses were investigated. Luminescence spectra were measured under different excitation wavelengths. Characteristic luminescence bands related to electronic transitions of trivalent terbium and europium ions were detected under direct excitation of Tb3 +. The energy transfer from Tb3 + to Eu3 + in lead borate glass occurs through a nonradiative process with an efficiency up to 18%. The presence of energy transfer process was also confirmed by excitation spectra measurements.