Luminescence of an Er3+-doped glass matrix containing CdS quantum dots

Er3+-doped glass matrix containing semiconductor CdS quantum dots was prepared by melt-quenching and subsequent heating. Transmission electron microscopy analyses evidenced that the material consists of an amorphous silica network and abundant separated 2-5 nm US quantum dots. Photoluminescence and photoluminescence excitation spectra demonstrated the existence of energy transfer from the CdS quantum dots to Er3+ ions although the transfer efficiency was low. (c) 2006 Acta Materialia, Inc. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.