Energy transfer analysis and realization of cool to warm white light in Dy3+ /Sm3+ /Er3+ triply doped multicomponent borosilicate glass for white light generation

Abstract

A series of Dy³⁺ /Sm³⁺ /Er³⁺ triply doped multicomponent borosilicate glasses (DSE) was synthesized using varying Er³⁺ ions concentrations through a conventional melt quenching technique. The influence of triple doping on the optical characteristics of the prepared glass was evaluated to estimate the possibility of achieving white light emission through optical absorption, photoluminescence excitation (PLE), and emission (PL) measurements. Based on the PLE and PL spectral profiles, the presence of energy transfer processes between Dy³⁺ , Sm³⁺ , and Er³⁺ was confirmed. Furthermore, for Dy³⁺ /Sm³⁺ /Er³⁺ triply doped glass, an enhancement in Er³⁺ green luminescence and a noticeable decrease in Dy³⁺ and Sm³⁺ emissions were detected with the increase in Er³⁺ concentration. The nature of energy transfer in DSE glass was investigated through Dexter's energy transfer mechanisms and the obtained result suggested that a dipole-dipole interaction was responsible for the dominant Sm³⁺ to Dy³⁺ and Dy³⁺ to Er³⁺ energy transfer processes. The precise characteristic colours that emanated from the as-prepared samples were evaluated using Commission Internationale de l'Éclairage co-ordinates and correlated colour temperature values and suggested its suitability for white light emission. The quantum efficiency of the prepared glass was determined experimentally. The aforementioned results recommend that the Dy³⁺ /Sm³⁺ /Er³⁺ triply doped multicomponent borosilicate glass irradiated with ultraviolet light sources might be useful for the generation of cool/warm white light-emitting applications.

Keywords: CIE co-ordinates; Dy3+/Sm3+/Er3+ triply doped multicomponent borosilicate glass; dipole-dipole interaction; energy transfer mechanism; white light generation.