Dy3+/Pr3+ co-doped fluoro-borosilicate glasses: Energy transfer induced color-tunable luminescence

Herein, we present energy transfer dependent photoemission properties of Dy³⁺ and Pr³⁺ ions co-doped in fluoro-borosilicate glasses. Dy³⁺ glasses exhibited emission at 483 nm and 577 nm under λ_exci = 387 nm; Pr³⁺ glasses displayed emission at 488 nm and 605 nm under λ_exci = 488 nm. The energy transfer (ET) process between Dy³⁺ and Pr³⁺ ions is investigated from the spectral overlap of absorption and emission of both ions and found that ET can occur from Pr³⁺ to Dy³⁺ (³P_1,0(Pr³⁺)+⁶H_15/2(Dy³⁺)→³H₄(Pr³⁺)+⁴F_9/2(Dy³⁺)) and from Dy³⁺ to Pr³⁺ (⁴F_9/2(Dy³⁺)+ ³H₄(Pr³⁺)→⁶H_15/2(Dy³⁺)+³P_1,0(Pr³⁺)). Further, by co-doping, the optimal content of Dy³⁺ (1.0 mol %) with different contents of Pr³⁺, PL spectra, the donor (Dy³⁺) dependent lifetimes, and ET parameters (η and P) are investigated and understood that the dipole-dipole interaction governs nonradiative ET from Dy³⁺ to Pr³⁺. These results demonstrate that the investigated glass systems can be potential candidates for employing in multicolor emitting devices under UV light.