Emission analysis of Tb3+ -and Sm3+ -ion-doped (Li2 O/Na2 O/K2 O) and (Li2 O + Na2 O/Li2 O + K2 O/K2 O + Na2 O)-modified borosilicate glasses.

Four series of borosilicate glasses modified by alkali oxides and doped with Tb3+ and Sm3+ ions were prepared using the conventional melt quenching technique, with the chemical composition 74.5B2 O3 + 10SiO2 + 5MgO + R + 0.5(Tb2 O3 /Sm2 O3 ) [where R = 10(Li2 O /Na2 O/K2 O) for series A and C, and R = 5(Li2 O + Na2 O/Li2 O + K2 O/K2 O + Na2 O) for series B and D]. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of all the prepared glasses indicate their amorphous nature. The spectroscopic properties of the prepared glasses were studied by optical absorption analysis, photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and photoluminescence (PL) analysis. A green emission corresponding to the 5 D4 → 7 F5 (543 nm) transition of the Tb3+ ions was registered under excitation at 379 nm for series A and B glasses. The emission spectra of the Sm3+ ions with the series C and D glasses showed strong reddish-orange emission at 600 nm (4 G5/2 →6 H7/2 ) with an excitation wavelength λexci = 404 nm (6 H5/2 →4 F7/2 ). Furthermore, the change in the luminescence intensity with the addition of an alkali oxide and combinations of these alkali oxides to borosilicate glasses doped with Tb3+ and Sm3+ ions was studied to optimize the potential alkali-oxide-modified borosilicate glass.