Potassium fluoro-phosphate (KFP) glass singly doped with different concentrations of europium (Eu3+ ) or samarium (Sm3+ ) or co-doped (Sm3+ /Eu3+ ) was prepared, and their luminescence spectra were investigated. The phase composition of the product was verified by X-ray diffraction analysis. Optical transition properties of Eu3+ in the studied potassium phosphate glass were evaluated in the framework of the Judd-Ofelt theory. The radiative transition rates (AR ), fluorescence branching ratios (β), stimulated emission cross-sections (σe ) and lifetimes (τexp ) for certain transitions or levels were evaluated. Red emission of Eu3+ was exhibited mainly by the 5 D0 →7 F2 transition located at 612 nm. Concentration quenching and energy transfer were observed from fluorescence spectra and decay curves, respectively. It was found that the lifetimes of the 5 D0 level increased with increase in concentration and then decreased. By co-doping with Sm3+ , energy transfer from Sm3+ to Eu3+ occurred and contributed to the enhancement in emission intensity. Intense orange-red light emission was obtained upon sensitizing with Sm3+ in KFP glass. This approach shows significant promise for use in reddish-orange lighting applications. The optimized properties of the Sm3+ /Eu3+ co-doped potassium phosphate glass might be promising for optical materials.
Keywords: Judd-Ofelt theory; concentration quenching; emission cross-section; phosphate glass; sensitizing.
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