Enhanced photoluminescence via energy transfer from plasmon Ag to Eu³⁺ ions in ZABS glasses for solid-state device applications

Recently, there is a growing interest in understanding the interactions between noble metals and rare earth ions doped into the glass matrix. Metallic or plasmonic particles can improve the spectroscopic properties of RE doped glasses for functional applications. In this present work, the spectroscopic properties of silver nitrate (AgNO₃) and Eu³⁺ co-doped zinc alumino borosilicate (ZABS) glasses are reported. The Ag:Eu³⁺ ZABS glasses were prepared using melt-quenching method at 1320 ^oC for 2 hours. The optical absorption spectra of Ag:Eu³⁺ glasses reveal the presence of Eu³⁺ bands and also a small band at 402 nm corresponding to molecule like Ag particles in the glass system. The enhancement of Eu³⁺ emission by resonance energy transfer from the Ag⁺ centers to Eu³⁺ ions confirm the surface plasmon resonance effect taken place in the glass system. The excitation of Ag:Eu³⁺ doped glasses under 393 nm showed a shift in the colour coordinate (x, y) values from deep red region to near red region. The glasses under excitations such as 330 nm and 300 nm resulted in near white light emissions with incorporation of Ag particles. Therefore, the prepared glasses can act as suitable candidate for solid-state devices like W-LEDs and lasers.