Luminescence investigations of Ce3+-doped fluorozirconate and fluorohafnate glass phosphors

Ce 3+ luminescence was studied in a flurozirconate glass in the ZrF 4 -BaF 2 -LaF 3 -AlF 3 -NaF (ZBLAN) and in a fluorohafnate HfF 4 -BaF 2 -LaF 3 -AlF 3 -NaF (HBLAN) glass systems under X-ray and UV excitation. Ce 3+ luminescence temperature quenching in glasses in the temperature range 77–300 K was observed. The Ce 3+ luminescence quenching in ZBLAN glass host is conditioned by two mechanisms: via the electrons ionization from the excited 5d-level of Ce 3+ into the conduction band (CB); and quenching as a result of the intersection of the Ce 3+ ground state and excited state potential curves. In HBLAN glass host the luminescence quenching is caused by the intersection of the Ce 3+ ground state and excited state potential curves in the temperature range 77–300 K. The activation energies of Ce 3+ luminescence quenching in ZBLAN and HBLAN have been determined. • Ce-doped fluorozirconate and fluorohafnate glasses were synthesized by melt-quenching. • Ce 3+ optical absorption and luminescence in ZBLAN and HBLAN were studied. • Ce 3+ absorption bands are shifted to longer wavelengths in ZBLAN compared to HBLAN. • The 4f-5d Ce 3+ absorption band overlaps with the UV absorption edge in ZBLAN. • Ce 3+ luminescence quenching mechanism in ZBLAN and HBLAN glasses was proposed.