Influence of MO/MF2 modifiers (M = Ca, Sr, Ba) on spectroscopic properties of Eu3+ ions in germanate and borate glasses.

Series of Eu 3+ -doped lead-free germanate and borate glasses were synthesized. The MO glass modifiers (M = Ca, Sr or Ba) were partially or totally substituted by MF 2 in chemical composition. In contrast to samples modified by CaO/CaF 2 or SrO/SrF 2 , the germanate glass samples containing BaO and/or BaF 2 are fully amorphous, while the lead-free borate glasses are fully amorphous, independently from glass modifiers. Effect of glass modifiers on spectroscopic properties of Eu 3+ were systematically investigated. For that reason, excitation and emission spectra of Eu 3+ ions in examined systems were registered. Based on the emission spectra, ratio of integrated luminescence intensity of the 5 D 0 → 7 F 2 transition to that of the 5 D 0 → 7 F 1 transition (R factor) was calculated. Moreover, the luminescence decay curves were collected and the luminescence lifetimes of the 5 D 0 excited state of Eu 3+ ions were determined in function of MF 2 concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]