Spectroscopic properties and luminescence decay behavior of pristine and β-irradiated Sm-doped borosilicate glasses

Multicomponent borosilicate glasses containing xSm(2)O(3) oxide (x = 0.5, 1.0, 2.0, 3.0 and 5 wt%) are synthesized by melting at high temperature (similar to 1500 degrees C) in air and exposed to beta-irradiation (2.5 MeV (14 mu A)). All glass samples are investigated by means of the steady-state luminescence and luminescence decay technique. The shift of Sm3+/Sm2+ excitation/emission maxima as well as changes in the spectral band's shape are clearly observed in dependence on wavelength. The luminescence decay follows non-exponential behavior even for low con-centrations of Sm2O3. Moreover luminescence decay kinetics tends to evolve with registration wavelength. Existence of the distinguishable Sm3+/Sm2+ local sites in glass matrix studied could explain these phenomena.

Automated summary

In multicomponent borosilicate glasses with different amounts of Samarium oxide, the excitation/emission peaks of Sm3+/Sm2+ and the shape of the spectral bands undergo clear changes depending on the wavelength. Even at low concentrations, the luminescence decay follows non-exponential behavior and tends to evolve with registration wavelength. The presence of distinguishable Sm3+/Sm2+ local sites in the glass matrix studied could explain these phenomena.