Influence of Cu+ cations on photoluminescence properties of Tb3+ in Cu+–Na+ ion-exchanged sodium-borosilicate glasses

Abstract Cu + cations were introduced into the sodium-borosilicate (SBS) glasses via a Cu + –Na + ion-exchanged technique. The photoluminescence (PL) properties of Cu + , Tb 3 + single- and co-activated SBS glasses, and the energy transfer (ET) process from Cu + to Tb 3 + cations were systematically investigated through energy-level diagram, decay curves, absorption spectra, PL excitation and emission spectra. Under the excitation of UV-light, Cu + -activated SBS glasses emit blue-greenish photons in the visible range, originating from the 3d 9 4s 1 → 3d 10 transition of Cu + cations. Moreover, the intensities of the excitation and emission bands of Cu + can be tailored by appropriately tuning the ion-exchange time. Significantly, enhancement of green emission of Tb 3 + was observed via utilization of Cu + cations as efficient sensitizers. The influence of the ion-exchange temperature and the salt bath with varied ratios of CuSO 4 to Na 2 SO 4 on the interaction between Cu + and Tb 3 + cations was also discussed. Our research will help understand the enhancement mechanisms of Tb 3 + emissions in Cu + /Tb 3 + -codoped amorphous systems.