Energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ in zinc lead borate glass

In order to sensitize the luminescence of Eu3+ ions in heavy metal glass, zinc lead borate glass samples containing various concentrations of Eu3+ and Tb3+ ions were prepared to study the Tb3+ to Eu3+ non-radiative energy transfer phenomena. Energy level structures of Tb3+ and Eu3+ ions were plotted to show the excitation and energy transfer routes. Efficient energy transfer from Tb3+ to Eu3+ was observed and studied qualitatively in terms of doping concentrations. The sensitization turned out to be less effective than expected. Further studies to characterize the oxidation of Tb3+ into tetravalent state and to examine the mechanism of energy transfer are proposed.