Heavily Eu3+-doped boroaluminosilicate glasses for UV/blue-to-red photoconversion with high quantum yield

Abstract

We report on the photoluminescence of heavily Eu³⁺-doped SrO–La₂O₃–Al₂O₃–B₂O₃–SiO₂ glasses. The specific glass system enables highly efficient photoemission for a dopant concentration of up to 8 mol% of Eu₂O₃ before concentration quenching is observed. This allows for the realization of high absorption cross section combined with an internal quantum efficiency of greater than 60% without further optimization of batch materials and processing conditions. In this way, the problem of luminescence quantum yield from active glass substrates in smart windows, greenhouses or solar energy harvesting may be overcome. In the present case, more than 50% of the photons coming in at the peak excitation wavelengths of 394 or 464 nm are converted to red.