Luminescence quenching of Dy3+ ions in lead bismuthate glasses

Luminescence of lead bismuthate glasses PbO-Bi2O3-Ga2O3 containing Dy3+ ions has been studied. Two overlapping luminescence bands corresponding to 3P1–1S0 transition of Bi3+ and 4F9/2 – 6H13/2 transition of Dy3+ were detected under 480 nm excitation. Comparison of luminescence features for the system under study to those reported for dysprosium-doped lead borate glass PbO-B2O3-Ga2O3 indicates that the luminescence of Dy3+ is efficiently quenched by Bi3+ ions. Analysis of luminescence dynamics implies that the excitation energy transfer from Dy3+ to Bi3+ is nonradiative. The theoretical calculations using Inokuti–Hirayama model confirm strong luminescence of Dy3+ ions in lead bismuthate glasses.