Absorption and luminescence properties of terbium ions in heavy metal glasses

•Tb-doped heavy metal glasses were studied as a function of glass composition.•Excitation and luminescence spectra of Tb ions in heavy metal glasses were examined.•Luminescence intensity ratios (G/B) and measured lifetimes of Tb were determined.•Correlation between G/B factor, measured lifetimes and energy phonon was proposed.

Heavy metal glasses doped with Tb3+ ions have been investigated. Influence of glass-former oxides on the absorption and luminescence properties of terbium ions in inorganic glasses containing lead are discussed. Green emission line located at 543 nm due to 5D4 → 7F5 transition of Tb3+ was observed as a most intensive line. Green-to-blue luminescence ratio related to the integrated emission intensity of the 5D4 → 7F5 transition to that of the 5D4 → 7F6 transition was calculated and examined as a function of glass composition. Luminescence lifetimes for the 5D4 excited state of Tb3+ ions in heavy metal glasses were also determined. Correlation between green-to-blue luminescence ratios, measured lifetimes and the energy phonon of the glass hosts was proposed.