Intensified Photoluminescence Of Eu3+ In The Phase-Separated Borosilicate Glass

Eu3+ containing 3Na(2)O . 42B(2)O(3). 55SiO(2) (mol%) glass was isothermally heat-treated for phase separation. The photoluminescence (PL) behavior of Eu3+ was investigated. It was found that PL intensity of D-5(0)-->F-7(2) transition of Eu3+ increases with evolution of phase separation. A maximum 6.5 times increment in the PL intensity can be obtained after phase separation as compared to that of the as-cast sample. Moreover, the maximum increment of the PL intensity seems to be related to the texture induced by phase separation, the droplet texture being superior to the interconnected one. The mechanism of augmentation of the PL intensity was interpreted in terms of the derived expression of the PL intensity. It was then suggested that the induced interface after phase separation, causing remarkable increase in light scattering intensity and therefore notable increase in the population of Eu3+ On the D-5(0) energy level, accounted for significant enhancement in the PL intensity. On the other hand, from the emission intensity ratio of D-5(0)-->F-7(2) to D-5(0)-F-7(1) transitions of Eu3+, it was estimated that Eu3+ partitioned into the berate-rich phase after phase separation.