Influence of metallic nanoparticles on electric-dipole and magnetic-dipole transitions of Eu3+ doped germanate glasses.

Luminescence properties of Eu3+ doped germanate glasses containing either silver or gold nanoparticles (NPs) were investigated for excitation at 405 nm. Enhanced emissions and luminescence quenching of the Eu3+ transitions in the range from 570 to 720 nm were observed for samples having various concentrations of metallic NPs. Electric-dipole and magnetic-dipole transitions that originate from the Eu3+ level 5D0 exhibit large enhancement due to the presence of the metallic NPs. The results suggest that the magnetic response of rare-earth doped metal-dielectric composites at optical frequencies can be as strong as their electric response due to the confinement of the optical magnetic field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]