Self-quenching of Eu3+ and Tb3+ luminescence in LaMgB5O10: A host structure allowing essentially one-dimensional interactions

In the LnxLa1−xMgB5O10 (Ln=Eu, Tb) borates, rare-earth coordination polyhedra form isolated chains, so that interactions between Ln3+ ions are predominantly one-dimensional. Concentration quenching of the Eu3+ and Tb3+ emissions occurs only at high concentration, as expected if non-radiative losses result from energy migrations inside the chains followed by energy transfer to energy sinks (lattice defects or impurities).