Dy3+/Pr3+ co-doped fluoro-borosilicate glasses: Energy transfer induced color-tunable luminescence

Abstract Herein, we present energy transfer dependent photoemission properties of Dy3+ and Pr3+ ions co-doped in fluoro-borosilicate glasses. Dy3+ glasses exhibited emission at 483 nm and 577 nm under λexci = 387 nm; Pr3+ glasses displayed emission at 488 nm and 605 nm under λexci = 488 nm. The energy transfer (ET) process between Dy3+ and Pr3+ ions is investigated from the spectral overlap of absorption and emission of both ions and found that ET can occur from Pr3+ to Dy3+ (3P1,0(Pr3+)+6H15/2(Dy3+)→3H4(Pr3+)+4F9/2(Dy3+)) and from Dy3+ to Pr3+ (4F9/2(Dy3+)+ 3H4(Pr3+)→6H15/2(Dy3+)+3P1,0(Pr3+)). Further, by co-doping, the optimal content of Dy3+ (1.0 mol %) with different contents of Pr3+, PL spectra, the donor (Dy3+) dependent lifetimes, and ET parameters (η and P) are investigated and understood that the dipole-dipole interaction governs nonradiative ET from Dy3+ to Pr3+. These results demonstrate that the investigated glass systems can be potential candidates for employing in multicolor emitting devices under UV light.