In situ-monitored enhancement and quenching effect of Cu nanoclusters on Sm3+ photoluminescence in glass

Publication date: Available online 7 November 2019Source: Physics Letters AAuthor(s): José A. JiménezAbstractAn assessment of the influence of heat treatment temperature and retention time on the optical properties of a Cu+ and Sm3+ co-doped phosphate glass of interest to photonic applications is reported. Particularly, the enhancement of the orange-red photoluminescence (PL) from Sm3+ ions has been realized in the glass through the development of non-plasmonic Cu clusters. It was exposed during an in situ isothermal treatment wherein optical absorption and PL were monitored together in real time. Following the PL increase, a drop in the Sm3+ emission intensity was produced concurring with the appearance of Cu nanoparticles (NPs) exhibiting the surface plasmon resonance. Hence, the connection between energy donor (sensitizing) effects of small Cu clusters and the energy acceptor (quenching) character of Cu NPs is supported. It is the first time to the author's knowledge that the enhancement of Sm3+ luminescence via Cu clusters embedded in glass is indicated.

Source: Physics Letters A - November 9, 2019 Category: Physics Source Type: research