Tunable white luminescence and energy transfer in (Cu+)2, Eu3+ codoped sodium silicate glasses

Luminescent properties of (Cu+)(2), Eu3+ single-doped and codoped sodium silicate glasses were systematically investigated by excitation spectra, emission spectra, and decay curves. Due to the efficient energy transfer from (Cu+)(2) pairs to Eu3+, varied hues from green to yellowish white and eventually to orange were generated by tuning the content of Eu3+. A perfect white-light emission with CIE coordinates (X = 0.336; Y = 0.346) was realized in (Cu+)(2), Eu3+ and Ce3+ codoped samples. Our research indicates the potential application of (Cu+)(2), Eu3+ codoped sodium silicate glasses for converting phosphors for UV LED chips to generate white LEDs. (C) 2012 Optical Society of America