Spectroscopic characterization and optical waveguide fabrication in Ce(3+), Tb(3+) and Ce(3+)/Tb(3+) doped zinc-sodium-aluminosilicate glasses

A spectroscopy investigation of Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions in sodium-zinc-aluminosilicate glasses is performed using the photoluminescence technique. Blue-white light, with x = 0.24 and y = 0.24 CIE chromaticity coordinates, is obtained for the Tb3+ singly-doped glass excited at 351 nm. When the sodium-zinc-aluminosilicate glass is co-doped with Ce3+ and Tb3+ a non-radiative energy transfer from Ce3+ to Tb3+ ions is observed upon 320 nm excitation. From an analysis of the cerium emission decay curve, the Ce3+ -> Tb3+ energy transfer microscopic parameter and efficiency are obtained. Different concentrations of Ce3+ and Tb3+ ions in the glass host gives rise to blue and blue-green emissions, with different Ce3+ coordinates. Optical waveguides were produced in the samples by Ag+-Na+ ion-exchange, and their characterization is presented. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.