Pr³⁺ doped tellurite glasses incorporated with silver nanoparticles for laser illumination

Enhanced red fluorescence emissions of Pr³⁺ were observed in heavy metal germanium tellurite (HGT) glasses containing silver nanoparticles (NPs). The well-dispersed Ag NPs with a diameter ∼7 nm were evidenced by transmission electron microscope (TEM). With the introduction of Ag NPs, multichannel transition emission intensity of Pr³⁺ increased by ∼25% in comparison with that in the case without silver doping, which is attributed to the existence of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) referring to the characteristic absorption peaks. The larger the net emission power, the higher was the net emission photon number and the higher quantum yield in Pr³⁺ doped HGT glasses containing Ag NPs, presenting the effectiveness of utilizing laser. An efficient fluorescence emission and macroscopical sensitization illustrate that the Pr³⁺-doped HGT glasses with Ag NPs are potential materials, which improve the color-rendering index for laser illumination.