Photoluminescence of Ce3+ and Mn2+ in zinc metaphosphate glasses

The spectroscopic characterization of zinc metaphosphate glasses, singly and doubly doped with Ce3+ and Mn2+ ions, is performed through excitation and emission spectra and decay time measurements. The weak yellow emission of Mn2+ is significantly enhanced by means of an efficient energy transfer from Ce3+ to Mn2+ ions. The efficiency of the energy transfer has been estimated based on spectroscopic data, and turned out to be about 53%. From spectroscopic data it can also be inferred that the energy transfer is nonradiative in nature and it takes place between Ce3+ and Mn2+ clusters formed in the glass through a short-range interaction mechanism. This impurity clustering appears to be a relevant finding for the design of efficient conversion phosphors of ultraviolet to visible light.