[Spectroscopic study on the interaction of glass matrixes and nanoparticles in Tm3+ doped oxyfluoride glass ceramics]

Fluorescence emission spectra from Tm3+ in crystal phase and glass phase were separated under selective excitation of 1D2 level in Tm3+ doped transparent oxyfluoride glass ceramics containing LaF3 nanocrystals. Emissions from the crystal phase and from the glass phase were detected. The influence of the interaction between glass matrix and nanocrystals on the optical characteristics of Tm3+ ions in the two different local environments was investigated. The results indicate that the increase in nanocrystal size results in a decrease in the impact of oxides glass on Tm3+ in the crystal phase, and an enhancement of the impact of nanocrystals on Tm3+ in the glass phase. For smaller nanoparticles, the emission efficiency of Tm3+ ions in the crystal phase was reduced, and the influence of nanocrystals on the ions in the glass phase was reduced too. The larger the nanocrystal size, the weaker the influence of oxide glass on the Tm3+ ions in the crystal phase, and the better performance of fluorescence emission. It was also found that the content of SiO2 in glass matrix could affect the emission efficiency of Tm3+ in both environments.